HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Port, C. L. Articles by Williams, S. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Port, C. L. Articles by Williams, S. W.

Families Filling the Gap: Comparing Family Involvement for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Correspondence: Please address correspondence to Cynthia L. Port, PhD, Division of Gerontology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 660 West Redwood St., Baltimore, MD 21201. E-mail: cport{at}epi.umaryland.edu

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the sociodemographics, self-rated health, and involvement levels of family caregivers of residents with dementia in residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) versus nursing home settings. Design and Methods: We conducted telephone interviews with the family caregivers most involved with 353 residents of 34 residential care and 10 nursing home facilities. We measured involvement by caregiver self-report of monthly out-of-pocket spending, involvement and burden ratings, and the frequency of engaging in eight specific care activities. Open-ended questions elicited areas in which caregivers preferred different involvement and ways the facility could facilitate involvement. Results: Nursing home caregivers rated their health poorer than RC/AL caregivers, but there were no sociodemographic differences between the two. RC/AL caregivers rated both their perception of involvement and burden higher and engaged more frequently in monitoring the resident's health, well-being, and finances than did nursing home caregivers, although the reported time spent per week on care did not differ. Implications: RC/AL and nursing home caregivers to residents with dementia may tailor their care to fit the needs of the resident and setting. Results are discussed in relation to the Congruence Model of Person-Environment Fit.

Key Words: Long-term care • Assisted living • Social support

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. W. Williams, C. S. Williams, S. Zimmerman, J. Munn, D. Dobbs, and P. D. Sloane Emotional and Physical Health of Informal Caregivers of Residents at the End of Life: The Role of Social Support J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., May 1, 2008; 63(3): S171 - S183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hyde, R. Perez, and B. Forester Dementia and Assisted Living Gerontologist, December 1, 2007; 47(suppl_1): 51 - 67. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Gaugler and R. L. Kane Families and Assisted Living Gerontologist, December 1, 2007; 47(suppl_1): 83 - 99. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. K. Chen, M. Sabir, S. Zimmerman, J. Suitor, and K. Pillemer The Importance of Family Relationships With Nursing Facility Staff for Family Caregiver Burden and Depression J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2007; 62(5): P253 - P260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Robison, L. Curry, C. Gruman, M. Porter, C. R. Henderson Jr., and K. Pillemer Partners in Caregiving in a Special Care Environment: Cooperative Communication Between Staff and Families on Dementia Units Gerontologist, August 1, 2007; 47(4): 504 - 515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Edelman, M. Guihan, F. B. Bryant, and D. J. Munroe Measuring resident and family member determinants of satisfaction with assisted living. Gerontologist, October 1, 2006; 46(5): 599 - 608. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]