Medicare expenditures among residents of assisted living facilities are similar to those of community-dwelling elderly

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities

Understanding resilience from the perspective of Appalachian centenarians

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Ezra C. Holston ◽  
Bonnie Callen
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Family ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

Abstract Centenarians worldwide are growing rapidly and thriving as they age. This growth reflects their desire to thrive beyond personal and societal obstacles, a hallmark sign of resilience. However, little research exists on centenarians’ perspectives about their lived experiences that reflect resilience. Therefore, the purpose of this secondary analysis was to capture the perspectives of Appalachian centenarians about (a) living through their childhood and early adulthood in an area known for poverty and isolation, and (b) exploring the resilient nature that emerged from their narratives. With a qualitative descriptive design, 21 community-dwelling Appalachian centenarians participated in face-to-face interviews. They resided in either their homes or assisted-living facilities. Transcripts were analysed with Neuendorf's method of content analysis. Within three themes, 11 sub-themes were identified: (a) working hard for the family, (b) loss of a loved one, (c) gender and race discrimination, (d) impact of isolation on health, (e) living a simple life, (f) using family/community support, (g) consuming and appreciating food from their farms, (h) spirituality, (i) generosity of spirit, (j) living a clean life, and (k) happy, good and loving life. Collectively, these themes and sub-themes reflected how the centenarians overcame and grew from challenges and adversities to become resilient. Consequently, these findings show that understanding resilience from centenarians’ perspectives can significantly contribute to the potential for longevity.

scholarly journals Yoga to Reduce Leisure Constraints for Residents of Assisted Living Facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Em V. Adams ◽  
Marieke Van Puymbroeck ◽  
Brandi M. Crowe ◽  
Cynthia L. S. Pury ◽  
Arlene A. Schmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Leisure Constraints ◽  
Yoga Intervention ◽  
The Impact

Residents of assisted living facilities face leisure constraints (barriers to leisure activities) at higher rates than their community-dwelling peers. Past research suggests yoga may be an effective intervention to decrease leisure constraints to physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an eight-week yoga intervention on the leisure constraints of residents of assisted living facilities. The study employed a convergent mixed methods design to assess the impact of a 50-minute group yoga intervention, offered twice a week for eight weeks by a Certified Yoga Therapist. The intervention was implemented at four different assisted living facilities in the Southeastern United States. Pre- and post-quantitative measures were collected to assess overall leisure constraints, limitations in functional fitness, and pain interference. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups post-yoga intervention to determine participants’ perspectives on changes in leisure constraints. A total of 15 participants completed the study. Data analysis revealed significant improvements in two of the four functional fitness measures: upper body endurance (measured by the Arm Curl Test), and trunk stability (measured by the Function in Sitting Test). No significant improvements were observed in pain interference, or overall leisure constraints. Qualitative results indicated participants used yoga to help engage in daily activities such as housework, sleeping, and walking. Additionally, participants reported using yoga to help manage pain. In this sample, yoga appears to be a promising intervention to help reduce specific leisure constraints such as a reduction in functional fitness. Additionally, yoga shows some promise as a pain management strategy, warranting further research.

Assisted living facilities as sites of encounter: implications for older adults’ experiences of inclusion and exclusion

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1577-1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel V. Herron ◽  
L. M. Funk ◽  
D. Spencer ◽  
M. Wrathall
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Other ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Canadian City

AbstractMost of the existing literature on inclusion and exclusion among older adults focuses on community-dwelling individuals. In this article, we draw on the results of a comparative case study to explore how older adults in two assisted living settings experience inclusion and exclusion. One site was a low-income facility and the other a higher-end facility in a mid-sized Canadian city. Bridging together geographies of encounter and gerontological approaches on social inclusion, we analyse interviews with tenants and key informants to explore when, where and in what ways these groups experience inclusion and exclusion in these particular settings. Tenants’ narratives reveal how their encounters, and in turn their experiences of exclusion and inclusion are shaped by experiences throughout their lifecourse, the organisation of assisted living spaces, communities beyond the facility, and pervasive discourses of ageism and ‘dementiaism’. We argue that addressing experiences of exclusion for older adults within these settings involves making more time and space for positive encounters and addressing pervasive discourses around ageism and ‘dementiaism’ among tenants and staff.

scholarly journals WOULD YOU RATHER BE AT HOME OR IN A HOME? AN EXPLORATION AND COMPARISON OF OLD-AGE SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S636-S637
Author(s):  
Melissa Berlin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
The Status ◽  
Private Homes

Abstract Aging-related changes challenge older adults’ experience of social connectedness and increase their risk of perceived isolation. As seniors cope with these changes, they often face the question of whether to age in place or move to a senior living facility. While many studies explore these scenarios separately, there is little research comparing these two living arrangements. Therefore, this study examined the following questions: how do older adults experience social connectedness and perceived isolation? How does this experience vary between older adults living alone in private homes and those living in assisted living facilities? I conducted 16 qualitative interviews with middle-old and old-old women (ages 75+) who lived alone in a private home or in an assisted living facility in southeast Michigan. The themes that emerged revealed differences in three aspects of social connectedness; interactions, relationships and belonging. Community dwelling respondents’ interactions were characterized by intentionality, with minimal investment in forging new or deeper relationships and an emphasis on belonging to the world in terms of awareness, contribution, and cognitive ability. Assisted living respondents’ experiences where characterized by availability of interactions and casual relationships within the facility and an emphasis on belonging to the facility community, while positioning oneself between the status of resident and staff. Surprisingly, neither group reported a notable degree of perceived isolation. Both had adapted their social connectedness expectations to reflect their current situation. These findings have meaningful implications for older adults facing decisions about where to age, as well as for the communities that serve them.

scholarly journals PERCEPTIONS OF EXERGAMES FOR FALLS PREVENTION AMONG SENIORS AND THERAPISTS IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S59-S60
Author(s):  
Emma K Stanmore ◽  
Lex D de jong ◽  
Dawn A Skelton ◽  
Wytske Meekes ◽  
Alexandra Mavroeidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Older Users

Abstract Strength and balance exercise programmes are effective in reducing the rate and risk of falls but uptake and adherence to community based programmes are low. Exergaming technology may be a promising tool to increase exercise uptake and adherence among seniors due to their motivational features. As yet, there is little published on the views of older people and therapists of their experiences of using Exergames to reduce falls in assisted living facilities that may inform implementation. This study is the qualitative component of a cluster randomized controlled trial that investigated the use of purpose-built strength and balance Exergames in community-dwelling older people in 18 assisted-living facilities in the UK. Data collection included 36 hours’ observation, semi-structured interviews with 5 physiotherapists, assistants and researchers, and 13 focus groups with residents of assisted living facilities who had participated in a 12 week Exergame programme. Transcribed data were analysed using thematic content analysis to identify themes arising from older users’ and therapists’ experiences of using the Exergames. Findings suggest that the senior users enjoyed using the strength and balance Exergames and reported physical, psychological and social benefits. Although some games were generally favoured, there was no overall consensus on game preferences although social components, feedback, music and colourful animation appeared to increase the appeal of the Exergames. This is the first study exploring older users and therapists’ perceptions of exergames in assisted living facilities and provides valuable insight into the barriers, facilitators, contextual factors and perceived benefits or drawbacks following 12 weeks use.

Exploring the Experiences of Mr. J. W. Green

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wendell Moller
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Medical Decision Making ◽  
Life Experience ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Physician Communication ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Low Health Literacy

Inattentive care and lack of compassion exacerbated the Whites’ suffering, leading to unconscionable indignity for both in the nursing home. Ken and Virble White were a part of the ongoing fabric of our society, that portion which includes the working poor. We know that individuals like them are subject to worse health outcomes. They possess inadequate resources to make the health system work in their favor or even on balance with the rest of the population. Their medical decision-making takes place in a context of inadequate patient–physician communication, low health literacy, lack of access to social services, and other factors that undermine optimal care. These factors are present in different ways throughout the life experience of disempowered patients every day in clinics, hospitals, and assisted-living facilities throughout the nation.

scholarly journals Challenges, Barriers, Strategies Implementing an Oral Hygiene Program in Assisted Living Facilities Post COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 935-935
Author(s):  
Kim Attanasi ◽  
Victoria Raveis
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Oral Disease ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
New York University ◽  
Term Care

Abstract [Objective] Almost 8% of the U.S. population, 65 and older, reside in long term care facilities with limited delivery of essential dental care to prevent and manage oral health disease. By 2050, this population is expected to increase by 1.6 billion. Multiple bi-directional connections exist between oral disease and overall health. [Methods] Faculty from the Dental Hygiene Department, New York University College of Dentistry conducted an extensive outreach effort and randomly selected assisted living facilities. Facilities were offered the opportunity to receive at no-cost, a dental hygiene-led, educational, preventive oral health program delivered virtually to their residents as a community service. Incentives discussed. [Results] Twenty-one facilities were contacted, 17 (94.4%) had no oral healthcare program; one had an oral health component. In 13 (72%), the concierge functioned as gatekeeper, unwilling to transfer calls or deliver messages. In five (28%), calls were directed to the activity coordinator. Feasibility concerns and uncertainty about oral health service necessity and resident safety were voiced. Two facilities mentioned familiarity with dental hygiene professionals. Strategic changes in outreach resulted in successfully engaging with facility administrators. Strategies included identifying directors with familiarity or experience with dental hygiene profession, establishing a portfolio and utilizing technology that facilitate incorporating COVID-19 protocols. [Conclusions] Efforts to initiate a dental hygiene-led virtual oral health program encountered gatekeeper challenges. Although facility activity coordinators acknowledged benefits for their population, they were not final decision-makers. It was necessary to implement strategies that facilitated discussing the virtual oral hygiene program directly with the facility’s executive leadership.

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