Aging in Place in Assisted Living

TLDR

Support of older adults' capacity to age in place is a core concept of the assisted living philosophy. This research examined implementation of the aging‑in‑place philosophy in one midwestern state (Kansas). The study, part of a state agency and university collaboration, examined admission and discharge policies in assisted living settings, analyzed data with descriptive statistics, and compared Kansas findings to national data. Residents' capacity to age in place was limited by more restrictive admission and discharge policies in Kansas, especially regarding behavioral problems, incontinence, and cognition, compared to national standards, indicating that more inclusive criteria and additional staffing and funding are needed to fully implement the aging‑in‑place philosophy.

Abstract

Purpose: Support of older adults' capacity to age in place is a core concept of the assisted living philosophy. This research examined implementation of the aging-in-place philosophy in 1 midwestern state (Kansas). Design and Methods: This study was part of a larger state agency and university collaborative project to examine admission and discharge policies in these settings. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive statistics. Kansas findings were compared to national findings. Results: Residents' capacity to age in place was limited by facility admission and discharge policies that were more restrictive than state regulations in the areas of behavioral problems, incontinence, and cognition. In general, assisted living facility policies in Kansas were more restrictive than admission and discharge policies found nationally. Implications: More inclusive assisted living admission and discharge criteria, and concomitant staffing and funding, are necessary if the aging-in-place philosophy is to be more fully implemented.