What do Potential Residents Need to Know about Assisted Living Facility Type? The Trade-off between Autonomy and Help with More Complex Needs

Abstract

The current study surveyed 74 assisted living facilities to examine the effect of facility type on resident autonomy and the willingness of providers to admit residents requiring complex services. Facility types included adult family homes, residential care facilities, and traditional assisted living facilities. Adult family homes were more willing to admit residents with higher care needs. By contrast, assisted living facilities’ policies did not support the provision of intensive services, but their policies promoted higher resident autonomy, suggesting that consumers may have to choose between autonomy and help with complex needs when exploring assisted living for long-term care.

KEYWORDS:

• assisted living
• autonomy
• residential care facilities
• long-term care

Acknowledgments

This article not subject to U.S. copyright law.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Geriatrics, and Extended Care Strategic Healthcare Group and the Health Services Research and Development Service Management Consultation Program supported this research.

The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Susan Hedrick, PhD, Donna Munroe, PhD, Paul Erickson, MPH, Jean Sullivan, Heather Kelly, Carol Simons, Patricia Lin, MS, and Larry Manheim, PhD.

This paper presents the findings and conclusions of the authors; it does not necessarily represent the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Health Services Research and Development Service.