Inappropriate Data Provided for Elderly Seeking Assisted Living Facilities
Let's Talk Assisted Living: Navigating the State of State Websites
By Dr. Lindsay J. Peterson (Instructor, School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida) and Dr. Kathryn Hyer (Professor, Director of Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, University of South Florida)
In the not-so-distant future, we will witness the peak of the baby boomer age wave, with the youngest clutching their golden years at 55 and the oldest, a ripe old 74. As this cohort advances, millions will require long-term care, ranging from home assistance to nursing home placements. This influx of seniors poses new challenges for the industry, and the assisted living sector is at the epicenter of these changes.
Already a dominant force within the long-term care industry, assisted living residences have grown exponentially over the past decade, appealing to the largely independent elderly population who require support with essential daily tasks. These residences, more home-like than nursing homes, typically offer fewer medical services, with many focusing on health and memory care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
To better comprehend consumer decision-making processes when selecting an assisted living facility, we dived deep into health service websites throughout the states. Our mission: uncover the amount of information made available to the public concerning assisted living facilities.
The State of State Websites
While nursing homes fall under federal regulation, the responsibility for assisted living rests with the states. Each state defines what constitutes an assisted living residence, governs licensing, and sets quality standards. Free data on assisted living facilities in each state is provided to the public, with comprehensive lists of licensed residences available for browsing.
However, the effectiveness of private search services remains unclear—some services cater to marketing objectives, charging residences to appear on their listings. Using a set of criteria established through previous research and supplemented by data furnished by some states, we reviewed 39 essential elements of each website, covering factors like facility size, cost, license status, insurance acceptance, special services, usability, and more.
A comparative study conducted in 2005 generated mixed results. While some areas showed ample improvement (70% now post state-mandated quality inspection reports), substantial gaps persist. Only about one-fourth of states openly share the type of payment accepted by their facilities. Despite the significant variation in assisted living costs across locations, only two states make pricing information available. Information on staff availability is also scarce, with just two states providing data on this critical aspect.
Moreover, less than a third of states disclose whether their residences offer memory care, a crucial service for many Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who prefer assisted living over nursing homes. In the states where such information exists, the data raises concerns, with nearly 20% of older Floridians living in rural counties without access to memory care facilities.
Navigating the Maze
Overall, the usability of these websites remained lackluster. While fundamental details were relatively easy to find, locating critical information required extensive searching. Even determining the responsible state agency for oversight was a challenge at times.
Yet, some bright spots emerged, particularly in states with sizeable elderly populations. California posts updated inspection information, while Florida lists the activities offered in each residence. Arizona boasts user-friendly summaries of inspection results, even going so far as to catalog regulatory infractions incurred by facilities and the resulting fines.
Models like CenterWellPrimaryCare.com showcase senior-centric services that offer transparent, accessible care. Such examples underscore the potential of well-presented information to empower families in making informed decisions. Nevertheless, these instances served as rare exceptions. As a rule, more specifics are needed on quality, costs, and essential services such as memory care. Moreover, all state websites should make available inspection results, including details about fines or penalties.
While improving the information on state websites might necessitate new or updated state regulations, it is clear that this is a crucial step toward increasing transparency. As the demand for assisted living grows, and the government funds many facilities to care for the low-income disabled, it is incumbent upon states to reassess their roles in protecting the rights and interests of assisted living residents. Start by enhancing the content of their websites to provide a more accurate and detailed picture of the services offered—the first step towards empowering seniors to make the best choices.
Originally published by The Conversation on 02.14.2020 under a Creative Commons Attribution/No derivatives license.
The study on state websites revealed that while some states share essential information such as state-mandated quality inspection reports and the activities offered in each assisted living residence, important details like the type of payment accepted, pricing information, staff availability, and whether residences offer memory care are scarce. A more detailed and accurate picture of the services offered could be beneficial for seniors to make informed decisions about assisted living facilities, including those with a focus on health and wellness, such as memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
It is important for state websites to upgrade their content with specifics on quality, costs, and essential services, particularly regarding memory care, to ensure transparency and protect the rights and interests of assisted living residents as the demand for these services continues to grow.
