The State of States’ Assisted Living Websites: Information Available to Consumers

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 878-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell Roberts ◽  
Lindsay J Peterson ◽  
Kathryn Hyer
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Website Usability ◽  
Quality Costs ◽  
Memory Care ◽  
Type Size ◽  
The Right ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
5Th Grade

Abstract Background and Objectives Assisted living (AL) is a growing sector of the U.S. long-term care market, with its development driven largely by private market choices. However, consumers need information to choose the right AL community (ALC). This paper examined information available on U.S. state websites concerning ALC quality, costs, and services. Research Design and Methods Based on prior research and their analysis of a sample of state websites, researchers identified 39 key informational elements and grouped them into four categories, (a) ALC characteristics, (b) payment and services, (c) quality, and (d) website usability. Researchers then examined the presence of the 39 elements on 51 websites (U.S. states and the District of Columbia), meeting regularly to discuss findings and resolve differences. Results A majority of states provided basic information about individual ALCs (e.g., number of beds, ownership). Only 35% listed payment(s) accepted (e.g., Medicaid), and 31% indicated the availability of memory care. Nearly 70% posted inspection results, while only 43% provided information about complaints. Many met basic usability guidelines (e.g., type size), but locating content on many sites required multiple steps, and none met 5th-grade-or-below readability standards. Discussion and Implications A majority of websites provided important information, such as inspection results. However, many were lacking key elements concerning payment accepted and services. Finding what was available was burdensome. More work is needed to help states provide information that enables consumers to find ALCs that meet their needs. The lack of such information puts older adults at risk of inappropriate placements.

scholarly journals Diversity and Variation in Assisted Living Care, Nationally and Over Time

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 528-528
Author(s):  
Portia Cornell ◽  
Tetyana Shippee
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Memory Care ◽  
State Subsidies ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Assisted living is generally understood to offer a greater degree of privacy and independence than a nursing home; most residents pay privately, with some receiving support from state subsidies and Medicaid; regulation and oversight are the purview of state agencies. Within these broad parameters, however, one assisted living community may look quite different from another across the country, or down the street, in its resident population and the regulations that govern its operating license. The purpose of this symposium is to explore that variation. The papers leverage an in-depth review of changes in assisted-living regulation from 2007 to 2019 and a methodology to identify Medicare beneficiaries in assisted living using ZIP codes. To set the stage, the first paper examines variation across assisted living licenses to identify six regulatory types and compare their populations’ characteristics and health-care use. The second paper analyzes trends over time in the clinical acuity of assisted living residents associated with changes in nursing home populations. The third paper investigates racial disparities in assisted living associated with memory-care designations and proportions of Medicaid recipients. The fourth investigates how regulation of hospice providers in assisted living affect end-of-life care and place of death. The final paper describes requirements related to care for the residents with mental illness in seven states. The symposium concludes with an expert in long-term care disparities and quality discussing the implications for policymakers, providers, and the population needing long-term care in assisted living.

scholarly journals "You Just Forge Ahead”: The Continuing Challenges of Disaster Preparedness and Response in Long-term Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay J Peterson ◽  
Debra Dobbs ◽  
Joseph June ◽  
David M Dosa ◽  
Kathryn Hyer
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Design And Methods ◽  
Hurricane Irma

Abstract Background and Objectives Protecting nursing home and assisted living community residents during disasters continues to be a challenge. The present study explores the experiences of long-term care facilities in Florida that were exposed to Hurricane Irma in 2017. Research Design and Methods We used an abductive approach, combining induction and deduction. Interviews and focus groups beginning in May 2018 were conducted by telephone and in person with 89 administrative staff members representing 100 facilities (30 nursing homes and 70 assisted living communities). Analyses identified themes and subthemes. Findings were further analyzed using the social ecological model to better understand the preparedness and response of nursing homes and assisted living communities to Hurricane Irma. Results Three main themes were identified including: 1) importance of collaborative relationships in anticipating needs and planning to shelter in place or evacuate, 2) efforts required to maintain safety and stability during an unprecedented event, 3) effects, repercussions, and recommendations for change following the disaster. Discussion and Implications Preparing for and managing disasters in nursing homes and assisted living communities involves actions within multiple environments beyond the residents and facilities where they live. Among these, community-level relationships are critical.

scholarly journals Vulnerable Older Adults in Disasters: Effects of Hurricane Irma on Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 733-734
Author(s):  
Lindsay Peterson ◽  
David Dosa ◽  
Patricia D’Antonio
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Face ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Hurricane Irma

Abstract Preparedness of residents in long-term care (LTC) in the face of hurricane emergencies is a contested and largely unanswered question. Our prior work involving the U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005-08 showed that exposure to various storms on nursing home (NH) residents resulted in significantly more deaths than reported by health care officials. This work also highlighted that evacuation of NH residents, compared to sheltering in place, was independently associated with morbidity and mortality. Hurricane Irma struck Florida on Sept. 10, 2017, prompting the evacuation of thousands of NH and assisted living community (ALC) residents. This symposium will discuss the effects of Hurricane Irma on vulnerable older adults residing in NHs and ALCs using mixed quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The first presentation will discuss morbidity and mortality of NH residents exposed to Hurricane Irma and will stratify by long stay/short stay status and hospice enrollment. The second presentation will discuss improvements and continued barriers to NH preparedness based on interviews with 30 administrators following Hurricane Irma. Using a novel methodology to identify residents of ALCs using secondary data sources, the third presentation will document AL resident morbidity and mortality risk following Hurricane Irma. The final presentation will highlight results of interviews with 70 stakeholders from small and large ALCs concerning the hurricane experiences of residents, including those with dementia. This symposium offers a multi-faceted view of a disaster’s effects on LTC residents across Florida, including novel data from the NH environment and lesser-examined ALCs.

scholarly journals The Development and Testing of KNACC: Knowledgeable Nursing Assistants as Creative Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 675-675
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Eaton ◽  
Kristin Cloyes ◽  
Brooke Paulsen ◽  
Connie Madden ◽  
Lee Ellington
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Memory Care

Abstract Nursing assistants (NAs) provide 80% of direct care in long-term care settings, yet are seldom viewed as skilled professionals. Empowering NAs is linked to improved resident outcomes. In this study, we collaborate with NAs to adapt and test the feasibility and acceptability of arts-based creative caregiving techniques (CCG) for use in long-term care. We held a series of focus groups (n=14) to adapt, refine, and enhance usability. We then evaluated implementation in two waves of testing (n=8). Those working in memory care units were more likely to use all techniques, while those working in rehabilitation were more hesitant to implement. Participants reported using CCG to distract upset residents. Family members were excited about implementation, and NAs not participating wanted to learn CCG. Nursing assistants have the potential to become experts in creative caregiving but may require in-depth training to improve use.

A Comparison of Wandering Behavior in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. A. Beattie ◽  
JunAh Song ◽  
Shane LaGore
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Staffing And Training

Wandering, a challenging behavior associated with dementia, affects many residents of long-term care facilities and can result in elopement, injury, and death. Most studies of wandering have taken place in nursing homes (NH). Expansion of the long-term care sector over the last 2 decades has resulted in a surge in options such as assisted living facilities (ALF). This study compared wandering behavior of residents (N = 108) in 21 long-term care facilities (15 NH, 6 ALF). Staff used the Revised Algase Wandering Scale-Nursing Home Version (RAWS-NH) to quantify wandering. While there were some differences in demographic variables (i.e., race, motor ability) between NH and ALF participants, no significant differences were found in either RAWS-NH overall or any of the 6 subscale scores. This suggests that the expression of wandering is similar in long-term care residents across all dimensions of the RAWS-NH regardless of facility type. Findings are of concern for those involved in the safe management and protection of residents at risk for wandering, particularly in long-term care facilities with underregulated staffing and training requirements.

A Conceptual Framework for the Design and Development of AAL Services

2013 ◽  
pp. 568-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Queirós ◽  
Joaquim Alvarelhão ◽  
Anabela G. Silva ◽  
António Teixeira ◽  
Nelson Pacheco da Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Ambient Assisted Living ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Semantic Framework ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Strong Focus

A digital environment with a pervasive and unobtrusive intelligence able to proactively support elderly people in their daily lives, enabling them to live independently for longer, and reducing the need for long term care is the fundamental idea of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). After considerable research investment, there is a good understanding of the domain problem. However, the need to broaden the scope of problems being addressed is undeniable. Ecological approaches for design and development of AAL services are required in order to reinforce a strong focus on people. The chapter presents a comprehensive model based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) to characterize users, theirs contexts, activities, and participation, and to structure a semantic framework for AAL services.

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