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Assisted living facilities as a site for NP practice
Diane M Wink1, Lygia Owen Holcomb
1University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA. wink@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
|June 29, 2002
Summary
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) offer residents choice and independence. Nurse practitioners (NPs) can enhance primary care within these homelike settings, supporting aging in place.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are increasingly popular residential options for older adults.
- These facilities emphasize resident choice, autonomy, privacy, and independence.
- ALFs aim to provide a homelike environment while assisting with activities of daily living (ADL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To define assisted living facilities (ALFs).
- To identify typical residents of ALFs.
- To outline the benefits of nurse practitioner (NP) practice within ALFs for residents, facilities, and the NPs themselves.
Main Methods:
- A review of scientific literature was conducted.
- Legal and regulatory guidelines were examined.
- Consumer information, internet resources, and author experiences were utilized.
Main Results:
- ALFs are nonmedical residential settings promoting resident autonomy and dignity.
- Services and regulations for ALFs vary significantly across states.
- ALFs are suitable for in-home primary care delivery.
Conclusions:
- Assisted living facilities provide a unique housing model for aging individuals.
- The integration of nurse practitioners (NPs) can optimize care within ALFs.
- ALFs facilitate aging in place by offering essential support and primary care access.