Exploring “Home” Through Residents’ Lenses: Assisted Living Facility Residents Identify Homelike Characteristics Using Photovoice

Abstract

An increasing number of older adults are moving into assisted living facilities when living independently becomes difficult. These facilities afford older adults a home-like environment with opportunities for social activity and a minimal level of professional care, although relocation can negatively impact well-being. Because it is important to study home environments of aging adults, 10 residents of an assisted living facility were engaged in Photovoice to explore perceptions of the facility as home. Through photographic expression, residents identified environment enhancements for home at an assisted living facility. Findings of this study have implications for program planning at long-term care facilities.

Keywords:

• qualitative
• long-term care
• social work practice