Developing a research agenda for assisted living.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Assisted living (AL) is a growing sector requiring a robust research base.
• Existing AL literature has limitations in addressing critical knowledge gaps.
• A systematic approach is needed to define research priorities in AL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a systematic approach for identifying knowledge gaps, research questions, and methodological challenges in assisted living (AL) research.
• To establish a research agenda for AL that is relevant to consumers, providers, and policymakers.

Main Methods:

• Conducted an inventory of AL literature and ongoing research.
• Commissioned critical reviews of selected AL subtopics.
• Convened an advisory committee to identify and prioritize researchable questions.
• Facilitated a working conference with AL researchers to refine the research agenda.

Main Results:

• Top priority research topics include consumer preferences, cost and financing, decision-making information systems, quality measures, and resident outcomes.
• Identified lack of standardized definitions and measures as a barrier to empirical AL research.
• Highlighted the need to differentiate research on AL as a whole versus interventions within AL.

Conclusions:

• Systematic approaches, involving diverse researchers, can generate consensus on research agendas even in emerging fields.
• This method facilitated agreement on critical research priorities for assisted living.
• The identified research agenda aims to build a more empirically based and rigorous body of AL literature.