Factors Associated With Assisted Living Facility Closure.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have rapidly expanded, potentially leading to market oversaturation and closures.
• No prior studies have investigated the factors contributing to ALF closures.
• This study adapted a nursing home closure model for the ALF market.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine organizational, internal, and external factors associated with ALF closures.
• To adapt and validate a predictive model for ALF closures.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression analysis of data from 1,939 Florida ALFs operating in 2013.
• Examined factors associated with closure between 2013 and 2015.

Main Results:

• 141 ALFs (7.3%) closed during the 2-year study period.
• Factors significantly increasing closure risk included fewer beds, not accepting Medicaid, and higher deficiency counts.
• Market concentration and population density showed marginal significance.

Conclusions:

• The adapted model effectively predicts ALF closures using organizational, internal, and external factors.
• ALF closures impact access to community-based long-term care, particularly for rural seniors.
• Increased Medicaid acceptance in ALFs may serve as a protective factor against closure.