Center for Excellence in Assisted Living CEAL@UNC

Advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living through research, practice, and policy.

Staff/Staffing

Staff Reports of Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia in 250 Assisted Living Communities 

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study included health care supervisors from 250 assisted living communities in 7 states to understand how staff respond to behavioral expressions of residents with dementia. The most commonly reported expressions were combativeness and anxiety. A thematic analysis found that in about 25% of cases, staff recognized the events preceding behavioral expressions (antecedents). Staff in smaller and memory-care only communities were more adept at identifying antecedents; additional training to anticipate expressions may help prevent them.

Staff Reports of Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia in 250 Assisted Living Communities 

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study included health care supervisors from 250 assisted living communities in 7 states to understand how staff respond to behavioral expressions of residents with dementia. The most commonly reported expressions were combativeness and anxiety. A thematic analysis found that in about 25% of cases, staff recognized the events preceding behavioral expressions (antecedents). Staff in smaller and memory-care only communities were more adept at identifying antecedents; additional training to anticipate expressions may help prevent them.

“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study assessed how the early COVID-19 pandemic (Feb-Aug 2020) affected 40 assisted living administrators in Oregon. Three resulting themes from the interviews were emotion and burnout management (e.g., monitoring staff reactions), information management (e.g., monitoring latest recommendations and safety protocols), and crisis management (e.g., decision-making, emergency planning).

“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study assessed how the early COVID-19 pandemic (Feb-Aug 2020) affected 40 assisted living administrators in Oregon. Three resulting themes from the interviews were emotion and burnout management (e.g., monitoring staff reactions), information management (e.g., monitoring latest recommendations and safety protocols), and crisis management (e.g., decision-making, emergency planning).

Assisted Living Administrators’ Approaches to Advance Care Planning

Feb 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Interviews with 27 AL administrators revealed different approaches to advanced care planning (ACP). They all acknowledged the importance of ACP and often discussed topics like “do-not-resuscitate” orders when new residents arrived. Challenges included insufficient ACP training for staff and administrators and some reluctance from residents and families to discuss ACP. Most communities lacked a systematic, structured ACP approach.

Assisted Living Administrators’ Approaches to Advance Care Planning

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Interviews with 27 AL administrators revealed different approaches to advanced care planning (ACP). They all acknowledged the importance of ACP and often discussed topics like “do-not-resuscitate” orders when new residents arrived. Challenges included insufficient ACP training for staff and administrators and some reluctance from residents and families to discuss ACP. Most communities lacked a systematic, structured ACP approach.

The Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Clinical Symptoms, Physical Activity and Care Interactions among Residents in Assisted Living Settings

Feb 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study included 550 AL residents from 59 communities, and assessed how cognitive impairment relates to physical activity, pain, and willingness to receive staff-assisted function-focused care. It found that cognitively impaired residents were less active, experienced more pain, and were less interested in staff-assisted function-focused care activities.

The Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Clinical Symptoms, Physical Activity and Care Interactions among Residents in Assisted Living Settings

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study included 550 AL residents from 59 communities, and assessed how cognitive impairment relates to physical activity, pain, and willingness to receive staff-assisted function-focused care. It found that cognitively impaired residents were less active, experienced more pain, and were less interested in staff-assisted function-focused care activities.