Assisted living literature through May 2004: taking stock

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Sociology

Background:

• Assisted living (AL) is a growing sector providing housing and supportive services for individuals needing assistance.
• Understanding the research landscape is crucial for advancing AL quality and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively assess the state of research on assisted living (AL) from 1989 to May 2004.
• To identify trends in AL research methodologies and topics.

Main Methods:

• Conducted extensive literature searches using keywords related to AL.
• Analyzed and categorized 411 identified research items based on research methods and topics.
• Performed comparative analyses on 38 quantitative studies to summarize resident characteristics, settings, and utilization patterns.

Main Results:

• The AL research field has experienced rapid growth, covering diverse topics.
• Qualitative studies were more prevalent than quantitative or longitudinal studies.
• Significant variability in variable measurement hindered cross-study comparisons.

Conclusions:

• The research base for assisted living is substantial but requires further development.
• Recommends increased use of standardized measures and consistent reporting in AL research.
• Advocates for more detailed reporting of sampling, time frames, and measurement in future studies.