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 2009 Seniors Housing & Care Journal Abstracts
Abstract This article explores attributes of independent living communities that correlate with the willingness of residents to recommend their community to friends. Data collected in a study of 1,042 residents who moved to their independent living community within six months of the date of the survey revealed:
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Abstract The U.S. federal government and many state governments aim to rebalance their investments in long-term supportive services (LTSS) from institutions to home and community-based (HCBS) services for all persons with disabilities, regardless of age or disability type. Community residential settings (e.g., assisted living, group homes, and family care homes) count as HCBS in statistics on rebalancing success, yet many community residential settings appear institutional. We identify institutional and non-institutional characteristics of HCBS residential settings. The proposed criteria are residential scale and characteristics; privacy; autonomy, choice, and control within the residential setting; integration of residents in the greater community; and resident control over moving to, remaining in, or leaving the setting. State levers to reduce institutional characteristics include regulatory standards for settings and vendors, quality assurance programs, databases to monitor characteristics of residential settings, training initiatives, decision assistance programs, and application of fair housing rules. Systemic barriers interfere with realizing the non-institutional criteria in residential settings for older people.
Abstract This article highlights the restorative qualities of an actual café that represents a “hybrid third place.” Similar to third places, the café studied in this work offers its customers food, beverages, and opportunities to participate in social activities. By drawing upon attention restoration theory (ART), the authors show that the café’s built environment, or servicescape, features the three stimuli that are required to facilitate personal restoration and promote relief from symptoms associated with mental fatigue. The authors also explore how social activities and social integration promote customer restoration and investigate how perceived restorativeness is related to commercial social support, place attachment, and customer health.
Abstract Most falls risk assessments are designed for use by trained health care providers, even though many of the tests are relatively simple to administer and interpret. Thus, older adults pay for a service they might be able to perform for themselves. In these difficult economic times, it would be beneficial for older adults to assess their own falls risk without the need for a costly health care visit. Using existing falls risk assessment tools, a bilingual (English:Spanish) falls self-assessment booklet was designed for use by the older adult that evaluates both medical and environmental risks. This report details the benefits and pitfalls of the self-assessment, highlighting the assessments that were both valid and easy to self-administer.
Abstract This article presents exploratory research conducted independently by two organizations, Brecht Associates, Inc. and Mather LifeWays, to learn what senior living providers look forward to in serving the next generations of older adults. Results demonstrated that senior living organizations, particularly continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), are addressing and plan to continue addressing needs and interests of their current and future residents that will allow older adults to age in place. Plans include expanding health care services, growing wellness and lifelong learning initiatives, addressing technology needs, delivering services to homebound older adults “beyond the CCRC walls,” adding affordable housing options, and partnering with organizations, including universities and active adult communities. Overall, consumer choice will continue to be a central focus in planning future facilities and services.
Abstract What is the extent to which long-term care (LTC) preferences reflect the reality of available LTC options? This is a key question for researchers and service providers. We conducted a pilot investigation of the underlying structure of consumer preferences for seven LTC options, including aging in place via home modifications. Results of a factor analysis suggest that consumers define these seven LTC options differently than those frequently investigated in research. A three-factor solution that accounted for 62% of the variance emerged. In terms of preferences, older adults most preferred to remain at home and least preferred to receive caregiving assistance from friends and family. Results of this exploratory analysis are discussed in terms of the consequences of this mismatch.
Abstract As part of a developmental life-course perspective, housing provides refuge and conveys symbolic properties that give a place significance. It also is a key part of the social and physical environment of the family as well as older persons as they age (Setterson, 2003; Pastalan, 1995; Cohen, Mulroy, Tull, Bloom & Karnas, 2007; Alley, Liebig, Pynoos, Banerjee & Choi, 2007). This places caregiving and long-term care squarely in the homes of many Americans across the county. Demographics, housing literature, and socioeconomic trends provide support for considering new frameworks for the housing industry and housing policy, and also for long-term care services and support programs throughout the U.S. Efforts to expand (physical and financial) accessibility to life-span housing should address the following key areas: new construction and remodeling of housing stock, resources to consumers and private enterprise, and increased education about the benefits of accessible housing.
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