Quality of Life in Assisted Living Homes: A Multidimensional Analysis

Abstract

This study examined the impact of four domains upon the quality of life (QOL) of senior residents living in assisted living homes: (a) demographic characteristics and health status, (b) social involvement, (c) facility characteristics, and (d) the social climate. Participants were 201 residents with functional impairments living in 55 different assisted living facilities in California. QOL was measured with three scales of depression, life satisfaction, and facility satisfaction. Bivariate correlations and ANOVAs found significant relations between at least one of the QOL measures and age, health status, social and family involvement measures, facility characteristics, and social climate measures. Social climate measures of cohesion, conflict, and independence had the strongest zero-order correlations. Regression analyses for the three QOL measures found cohesion to be the strongest predictor in all three regressions. Other QOL predictors in the regression analyses were fewer health conditions, participation in social activities, monthly family contact, and an environment low in conflict. Findings suggest that assisted living homes can improve resident QOL by creating a cohesive social environment, and encouraging social participation and family involvement.

Quality of life in nursing home settings: Perspectives from elderly residents with frailty

“…In addition, many Hong Kong nursing homes that are subsidized by the government commonly allocate four to six residents to a room, which is also a source of conflict. The residents thus wish to have harmonious interpersonal relationships with their peers in order to lead a peaceful and happy life in the nursing home, consistent with Mitchell and Kemp's finding [40] that a low level of conflict in an environment improved the QoL of functionally impaired residents.…”

Functional disability of older persons in long-term care facilities in Korea

“…In addition, recent emergence of various kinds of 'least restrictive settings' for older people has directed attention to the importance of assessing residents' functional status not just in nursing homes, but also in residential care facilities (Kane et al, 1998;Mitchell and Kemp, 2000). Research, however, have predominantly focused on nursing home residents, so that levels of disability and health care needs of older people in residential homes are less well-known (Quinn et al, 1999).…”

Attitudes of Heterosexual Assisted Living Residents Toward Gay and Lesbian Peers

“…In addition, a cohesive, supportive facility environment is associated with greater facility satisfaction and lower depression scores for residents (Mitchell and Kemp, 2000). Further research should explore interventions, policies, and other factors that could create these conditions among all residents in care facilities in order to develop a healthier environment for sexual minority residents.…”