Getting Along in Assisted Living: Quality of Relationships Between Family Members and Staff.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have quickly expanded as an alternative to nursing homes. Research on nursing homes has revealed problems in relationships between family members and staff. However, little is known about these relationships within ALFs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of conflict and positive and negative interactions from the perspective of both family members and staff and to examine the effects of positive and negative aspects of the relationship on salient staff and family outcomes in ALFs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected from 252 family members and 472 staff members across 20 ALFs who participated in the Partners in Care in Assisted Living study. Participants completed measures including interpersonal conflict, depressive symptoms, perception of treatment, and stress related to caregiving. RESULTS: Conflict among family and staff members was found to be relatively low. For staff, interpersonal conflict and treatment by family members significantly predicted burnout and depressive symptoms. For families, only female gender significantly predicted burden. Subgroup analyses, however, indicated that the effect of interpersonal conflict was significantly associated with perceived caregiver burden among family members whose relative had dementia. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Despite the relatively harmonious relationships among family-staff in ALFs, sources of conflict and negative interactions were identified, revealing the importance of collaborative relationships and the influence these relationships have on both family and staff outcomes. These findings can inform intervention efforts to improve family-staff interactions within ALFs.

Engaging Older Adults in Environmental Volunteerism: The Retirees in Service to the Environment Program.

Purpose of the Study: Retirees in Service to the Environment (RISE) is a program designed to promote participation of older people in volunteering for the environment. Based on principles of adult learning and best practices for the development of effective volunteer programs, RISE engaged older individuals in environmental volunteering and involved them in community stewardship activities. Design and Methods: This article details the development and formative evaluation of RISE. We describe program assessment, benefits to the community, and effects on participants. Results: The program successfully recruited individuals new to environmental volunteering and substantial hours of volunteer time were provided to communities. Program satisfaction was high and preliminary evidence suggests positive outcomes from RISE participation. Implications: The innovative structure combined with local relevance of the RISE program has the potential to expand older adults' engagement in environmental volunteerism.

Effects of electronic health information technology implementation on nursing home resident outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of electronic health information technology (HIT) on nursing home residents. METHODS: The study evaluated the impact of implementing a comprehensive HIT system on resident clinical, functional, and quality of care outcome indicators as well as measures of resident awareness of and satisfaction with the technology. The study used a prospective, quasi-experimental design, directly assessing 761 nursing home residents in 10 urban and suburban nursing homes in the greater New York City area. RESULTS: No statistically significant impact of the introduction of HIT on residents was found on any outcomes, with the exception of a significant negative effect on behavioral symptoms. Residents' subjective assessment of the HIT intervention were generally positive. DISCUSSION: The absence of effects on most indicators is encouraging for the future development of HIT in nursing homes. The single negative finding suggests that further investigation is needed on possible impact on resident behavior.

Environmental sustainability in an aging society: a research agenda.

OBJECTIVE: This article presents the results of a multidisciplinary consensus conference held to recommend a research agenda on the relationship between aging and environmental sustainability and conservation. The intersection of these two topics has important implications for the health and well-being of older persons but it has thus far received little scientific attention. METHODS: The consensus conference was conducted with gerontological experts from various disciplines and environmental scientists. Using a structured methodology, participants achieved consensus on recommendations for a research agenda on aging and environmental sustainability. RESULTS: Eight major recommendations for research are detailed in this article as well as cross-cutting research themes affecting all areas, including racial and economic diversity, geographical region, cohort, and intergenerational linkages. DISCUSSION: Given the vulnerability of older persons to environmental threats detailed by the consensus conference, conferees recommended that research on these topics be urgently promoted, both by researchers and by funding agencies.