Dr. Sheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of CEAL@UNC, is a guest columnist for McKnight’s Senior Living. These regularly published articles reflect the perspectives of CEAL@UNC advisors, and address timely topics relevant to the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living.
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- Toward a Common Definition of Assisted Living: This article promotes CEAL@UNC’s definition of assisted living for use by providers, policy makers, and consumers. The definition addresses the diversity of assisted living and highlights person-centeredness, evolving resident needs, and the workforce.
- Balancing the Equation: Person-Centered Employment Practices in Assisted Living: A defining characteristic of assisted living is the provision of person-centered services and policies promoting quality of life, privacy, choice, dignity, inclusion and independence. This article asks why those core principles of person-centeredness are not consistently applied to the staff who work in assisted living.
- The Three-Legged Stool of Assisted Living Communication: Clear, Timely, and Relevant: This article introduces a practical framework for effective communication. CEAL@UNC’s three-legged stool approach emphasizes clear, timely, and relevant communication and its role in quality care, building consumer trust, and benefiting residents, families and support systems, and providers alike.
- Is It Time for the Federal Government to Become More Involved in Assisted Living?: Reframing the titular question, this article explains how federal influence is already deeply embedded in the industry, detailing how federal programs, policies, and agencies influence consumer access and experience. The article further underscores the benefits of open dialogue and continued collaboration between providers and policymakers in advancing well-being in assisted living.
