A consumer's ability to make an informed choice when selecting an assisted living facility is compromised by the differences in philosophy, services, and accommodations offered by various "assisted living" facilities.
Compiled by Westat Inc., this report examines the questionnaires, surveys, and other instruments currently in use to assess the services and quality of care in assisted living facilities across the United States. These tools include consumer-reported instruments, expert observational instruments, and provider-reported tools that evaluate services offered, the physical and cultural environments, staff issues, activities, social support, and contractual issues.
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Contents
Summary
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Background and Statement of the Problem
Introduction
Assisted Living Residences
Chapter 2. Study Purpose and Search Strategy
Study Purpose
Search Strategy
Chapter 3. Assisted Living Defined
Introduction
Differences Between Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care
Resident Characteristics
Philosophical Framework
Aging in Place
Facility Characteristics
Services Provided in Assisted Living
Chapter 4. Tools to Help Consumers Evaluate Assisted Living Facilities
Quality Monitoring
Consumer-Oriented Information
Chapter 5. Factors Important to Consumers When Choosing Residential Care
Facility Characteristics
Staff
Services and Activities
Independence and Choice
Social Factors
Resident Characteristics
Resident's Family Satisfaction
Chapter 6. Overview of Instruments Used in Evaluating Residential Care
Consumer-Reported Instruments
Expert Observational Instruments
Provider-Reported Instruments
Survey Methods
Survey Summary
Chapter 7. Measures Framework, Gaps, and Overall Summary
Services
Facility Environment
Summary
References
Appendix A. Reviewed Surveys and Tools (PDF File, 700 KB; Plugin Software Help)
Appendix B. Detailed Description of Databases Searched with Results
AHRQ Publication No. 07-0032-EF
December 2006
Internet Citation:
Environmental Scan of Instruments to Inform Consumer Choice in Assisted Living Facilities. AHRQ Publication No. 07-0032-EF, December 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/ltcscan/