Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 6 of 6
Definition and classification of assisted living
- Authors:
- ZIMMERMAN Sheryl, SLOANE Philip D.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 47(3), December 2007, pp.33-39.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this article is to discuss the benefits and limitations of, and considerations in, developing a typology of assisted living (AL). The authors conducted a review and comparison of nine AL typologies drawn from the literature. Typologies addressed matters related to the structure, process, population, and philosophy of AL to varying degrees. A lack of available data and different sampling frames hindered attempts to quantitatively compare the typologies. Typologies are potentially useful for consumers, practitioners, policy makers, and researchers. It is advisable to identify state-based typologies and then empirically determine types that have national representation. Stakeholders should consider the tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity and allow any resulting typology to anticipate ongoing evolution in the field of AL.
An observation of assisted living environments: space use and behavior
- Authors:
- ZIMMERMAN Sheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 49(3), 2007, pp.185-203.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Assisted living facilities are intended both to provide support and enable privacy for older people, but the extent to which these objectives are fulfilled, and the degree to which they meet residents’ needs are unknown. This observational study of 1,830 residents in 182 US facilities shows that during the mid-afternoon most (79%) residents are awake and that nearly half (49%) are both awake and in public spaces. Those who are cognitively and functionally impaired are more likely to be in public spaces but less likely to be engaged. Those who are awake but alone in private spaces are less likely to be impaired but more likely to have medical conditions. The authors conclude that those residents more likely to need oversight tend to be positioned to receive that oversight. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The need to include assisted living in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Authors:
- ZIMMERMAN Sheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(5), 2020, pp.572-575.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier (for the American Medical Directors Association)
The risk of complications and death from COVID-19 is markedly skewed toward older adults. In the United States and many other countries, nursing homes are not the only congregate setting that serves older adults with underlying chronic medical conditions. More so, they have been a shrinking component of the residential long-term care system, with some of the largest growth having been in assisted living. Assisted living communities are not the same as nursing homes. In fact, there are several distinct components of assisted living that make this a unique setting and one not to be ignored in relation to COVID-19 planning and response. This editorial summarises key differences between nursing homes and assisted living and their related implications for care during the coronavirus pandemic. (Edited publisher abstract)
A good death for residents of long-term care: family members speak
- Authors:
- MUNN Jean C., ZIMMERMAN Sheryl
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 2(3), 2006, pp.45-59.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
Little research has been done on the topic of end-of-life care in long-term care settings to identify important themes regarding end-of-life care structures, processes, and outcomes. This study utilized data gathered in a stratified, random sample of 437 family members of residents who died in 31 nursing homes (NHs) and 199 residential care/ assisted living facilities in the United States. Structural components of care including staffing adequacy, training, and consistence as well as facility environment and size were important factors for family members interviewed. "Being there" and manner of care delivery (e.g., staff attitudes/empathy) were major elements in the process of care. These factors were mentioned more than direct care, Hospice, or resident preferences. Family members identified themes of [dying at] home and being comfortable and clean as important outcomes of care. These identified structural components, processes, and outcomes have implications for the role of social workers in these settings despite that social work support is notably absent in these findings. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Social engagement and its relationship to service provision in residential care and assisted living
- Authors:
- ZIMMERMAN Sheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 27(1), March 2003, pp.6-18.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Reports on an American study to categorize the underlying constructs of social activity participation in a residential care and assisted-living population, determine the extent of social engagement and how it varies by facility type, and relate social engagement to service provision. Data were collected for 2,078 residents of 193 facilities in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina participating in the Collaborative Studies of Long-Term Care. An 11-item scale, the Assisted Living Social Activity Scale, was developed that was composed of three factors: private activities, group activities and outings. Cognitive and functional status related to participation in these activities, visit and telephone contact, and social withdrawal. In adjusted analyses, differences by facility type were noted, and service provision related to social engagement in all areas except social withdrawal.
Assisted living and nursing homes: apples and oranges?
- Authors:
- ZIMMERMAN Sheryl, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 43(Special Issue II), April 2003, pp.107-117.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The goals of this study are to describe the current state of residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) care and residents in comparison with nursing home (NH) care and residents, identify different types of RC/AL care and residents, and consider how variation in RC/AL case-mix reflects differences in care provision and/or consumer preference. Data were derived from the Collaborative Studies of Long-Term Care, a four-state study of 193 RC/AL facilities and 40 NHs. Multivariate analyses examined differences in ten process of care measures between RC/AL facilities with less than 16 beds; traditional RC/AL with 16 or more beds; new-model RC/AL; and NHs. Generalized estimating equation models determined differences in resident case-mix across RC/AL facilities using data for 2,078 residents. NHs report provision of significantly more health services and have significantly more lenient admission policies than RC/AL facilities, but provide less privacy. They do not differ from larger RC/AL facilities in policy clarity or resident control. Differences within RC/AL types are evident, with smaller and for-profit facilities scoring lower than other facilities across multiple process measures, including those related to individual freedom and institutional order. Resident impairment is substantial in both NHs and RC/AL settings, but differs by RC/AL facility characteristics. Differences in process of care and resident characteristics by facility type highlight the importance of considering: the adequacy of existing process measures for evaluating smaller facilities; resident case-mix when comparing facility types and outcomes; and the complexity of understanding the implication of the process of care, given the importance of person-environment fit.