Assisted Living Through Research, Policy, and Practice

Introduction

This book examines how well assisted living communities are fulfilling their original mission of providing both assistance and quality of life. It also explores current and emerging practices and policies that could enhance these communities' ability to deliver on this dual promise.

Regulation and Diversity

Assisted living communities in the United States are diverse in part because they are regulated largely by states and much less at the federal level. The diversity is intended to be responsive to different resident preferences and needs, but recent studies and critique indicate that overall, assisted living may not be fully delivering on the dual objectives of assistance and living.

Research and Perspectives

The book addresses its main objective by reviewing and synthesizing academic and relevant grey literature research and information on various aspects of assisted living in the US, and presenting providers' and consumers' perspectives on each topic.

Key Topics

To address these issues, the book's 10 chapters explore key topics central to the promise of assisted living. The authors examine how well these communities meet the needs of residents with dementia, individuals requiring mental and medical health services, and those in need of end-of-life care. They also consider broader concerns related to resident safety and quality of care. In addition, the authors examine how state regulations and workforce challenges influence the care provided in assisted living. Each chapter discusses the implications of current research, policy, and practice, and includes case studies or real-world examples whenever possible.

Conclusion

Through this comprehensive synthesis of current research and diverse sources, as well as original contributions from assisted living providers and consumers, readers will gain an understanding of the latest findings in the field, their policy and practice implications, and the issues to consider when choosing an assisted living community.

Intended Audience

Assisted Living Through Research, Policy, and Practice is intended for researchers, policy makers, and operators of assisted living communities; it also is a useful textbook for graduate-level courses on long-term care and courses taught in health services research programs, schools of public health, programs for long-term care professionals, and healthcare management education. In addition, consumers wanting to better understand assisted living will benefit from the material in this book.