Reimagining Medical Care in Assisted Living

Comparison of hospitalization events among residents of assisted living and nursing homes during COVID-19: Do settings respond differently during public health crises?

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 and resulting health system and policy decisions led to significant changes in healthcare use by nursing homes (NH) residents. It is unclear whether healthcare outcomes were similarly affected among older adults in assisted living (AL). This study compared hospitalization events in AL and NHs during COVID-19 pandemic waves 1 through 4, relative to historical periods.

METHODS

This was a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study using linked clinical and health administrative databases (January 2018 to December 2021) for residents of all publicly subsidized AL and NH settings in Alberta, Canada. Setting-specific monthly cohorts were derived for pandemic (starting March 1, 2020) and comparable historical (2018/2019 combined) periods. Monthly rates (per 100 person-days) of all-cause hospitalization, hospitalization with delayed discharge, and hospitalization with death were plotted and rate ratios (RR) estimated for period (pandemic wave vs historical comparison), setting (AL vs NH) and period-setting interactions, using Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for resident and home characteristics.

RESULTS

On March 1, 2020, there were 9,485 AL and 14,319 NH residents, comparable in age (mean 81 years), sex (>60% female) and dementia prevalence (58-62%). All-cause hospitalization rates declined in both settings during waves 1 (AL: adjusted RR 0.60, 95%CI 0.51-0.71; NH: 0.74, 0.64-0.85) and 4 (AL: 0.76, 0.66-0.88; NH: 0.65, 0.56-0.75) but unlike NHs, AL rates were not significantly lower during wave 2 (and increased 27% vs NH, January 2021). Hospitalization with delayed discharge increased in NHs only (during and immediately after wave 1). Both settings showed a significant increase in hospitalization with death in wave 2, this increase was larger and persisted longer for AL.

CONCLUSIONS

Pandemic-related changes in hospitalization events differed for AL and NH residents and by wave, suggesting unique system and setting factors driving healthcare use and outcomes in these settings in response to this external stress.

Qualitative Evaluation of a Pilot Physician Training Program in Long-Term Care Facilities in Switzerland

Increasing demand for long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and increasingly complex medical needs of LTCF residents necessitate recruiting new physician graduates and developing programs which provide them with experience and specific skills in geriatric and palliative medicine. We developed an educational program for physicians in training, which combines 1 year of immersion at 20% full-time equivalent with (1) theoretical teaching, (2) clinical exposure under the supervision of a senior LTCF physician, and (3) structured case presentations and debriefing with experienced geriatricians. This article presents a preliminary qualitative evaluation of this program from the perspectives of the trainees, supervising physicians, and public health stakeholders. The program was well accepted by all parties and showed positive effects on trainees' interest in long-term care medicine. Suggestions for improving future programs and their implementation are provided.

Rates of Hospital-Based Care among Older Adults in the Community and Residential Care Facilities: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

We examine annual rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and alternate levels of care (ALC) days (ie, the number of days that an older adult remained in hospital when they could not be safely discharged to an appropriate setting in their community) among older adults.

DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Linked, individual-level health system administrative data on community-dwelling persons, home care recipients, residents of assisted living facilities, and residents of nursing homes aged 65 years and older in Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019.

METHODS

We calculated rates of ED visits, hospital admissions, and ALC days per 1000 individuals per older adult population per year. We used a generalized linear model with a gaussian distribution, log link, and year fixed effects to obtain rate ratios.

RESULTS

There were 1,655,656 older adults in the community, 237,574 home care recipients, 42,600 older adults in assisted living facilities, and 94,055 older adults in nursing homes in 2013; there were 2,129,690 older adults in the community, 281,028 home care recipients, 56,975 older adults in assisted living facilities, and 95,925 older adults in nursing homes in 2019. Residents of assisted living facilities had the highest rates of ED visits (1260.692019 vs 1174.912013), hospital admissions (482.632019 vs 480.192013), and ALC days (1905.572019 vs 1443.032013) per 1000 individuals. Residents of assisted living facilities also had significantly higher rates of ED visits [rate ratio (RR) 3.30, 95% CI 3.20, 3.41), hospital admissions (RR 6.24, 95% CI 6.01, 6.47), and ALC days (RR 25.68, 95% CI 23.27, 28.35) relative to community-dwelling older adults.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The disproportionate use of ED visits, hospital admissions, and ALC days among residents of assisted living facilities may be attributed to the characteristics of the population and fragmented licensing and regulation of the sector, including variable models of care. The implementation of interdisciplinary, after-hours, team-based approaches to home and primary care in assisted living facilities may reduce the potentially avoidable use of ED visits, hospital admissions, and ALC days among this population and optimize resource allocation in health care systems.

Clinical Comorbidities and Transitions Between Care Settings Among Residents of Assisted Living Facilities: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

We investigate the changes in the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical comorbidities, and transitions between care settings among residents of assisted living facilities.

DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Linked, individual-level health system administrative data on residents of assisted living facilities in Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019.

METHODS

Counts and proportions were calculated to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and clinical comorbidities. Relative changes and trend tests were calculated to quantify the longitudinal changes in the characteristics of residents of assisted living facilities between 2013 and 2019. A Sankey plot was graphed to display transitions between different care settings (ie, hospital admission, nursing home admission, died, or remained in the assisted living facility) each year from 2013 to 2019.

RESULTS

There was a 34% relative increase in the resident population size of assisted living facilities (56,9752019 vs 42,6002013). These older adults had a mean age of 87 years, and women accounted for nearly two-thirds of the population across all years. The 5 clinical comorbidities that had the highest relative increases were renal disease (24.3%), other mental health conditions (16.8%), cardiac arrhythmias (9.6%), diabetes (8.5%), and cancer (6.9%). Nearly 20% of the original cohort from 2013 remained in an assisted living facility at the end of 2019, and approximately 10% of that cohort transitioned to a nursing home in any year from 2013 to 2019.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Residents of assisted living facilities are an important older adult population that has progressively increased in clinical complexity within less than a decade. Clinicians and policy makers should advocate for the implementation of on-site medical care that is aligned with the needs of these older adults.

Hospital Proximity and Emergency Department Use among Assisted Living Residents

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between AL communities' distance to the nearest hospital and residents' rates of emergency department (ED) use. We hypothesize that when access to an ED is more convenient, as measured by a shorter distance, assisted living (AL)-to-ED transfers are more common, particularly for nonemergent conditions.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study, where the main exposure of interest was the distance between each AL and the nearest hospital.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

2018-2019 Medicare claims were used to identify fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥55 years residing in AL communities.

METHODS

The primary outcome of interest was ED visit rates, classified into those that resulted in an inpatient hospital admission and those that did not (ie, ED treat-and-release visits). ED treat-and-release visits were further classified, based on the NYU ED Algorithm, as (1) nonemergent; (2) emergent, primary care treatable; (3) emergent, not primary care treatable; and (4) injury-related. Linear regression models adjusting for resident characteristics and hospital referral region fixed effects were used to estimate the relationship between distance to the nearest hospital and AL resident ED use rates.

RESULTS

Among 540,944 resident-years from 16,514 AL communities, the median distance to the nearest hospital was 2.5 miles. After adjustment, a doubling of distance to the nearest hospital was associated with 43.5 fewer ED treat-and-release visits per 1000 resident years (95% CI -53.1, -33.7) and no significant difference in the rate of ED visits resulting in an inpatient admission. Among ED treat-and-release visits, a doubling of distance was associated with a 3.0% (95% CI -4.1, -1.9) decline in visits classified as nonemergent, and a 1.6% (95% CI -2.4%, -0.8%) decline in visits classified as emergent, not primary care treatable.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Distance to the nearest hospital is an important predictor of ED use rates among AL residents, particularly for visits that are potentially avoidable. AL facilities may rely on nearby EDs to provide nonemergent primary care to residents, potentially placing residents at risk of iatrogenic events and generating wasteful Medicare spending.

Evaluation of the Nurse Practitioner Offsite Model

Rural older adults residing in assisted living (AL) (herein referred to as residents) have limited access to health care for urgent and chronic management of diseases. The current project aimed to assess rural residents, families, and staff satisfaction with the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Offsite Visit Program. Residents and their families were asked to complete the NP Satisfaction Survey. The survey comprised three subscales (satisfaction, communication, and accessibility) and measured residents' and families' satisfaction. AL staff attended a 1-hour focus interview. Mean survey scores were 81.5 for satisfaction, 26.4 for communication, and 16.9 for accessibility subscales. Focus interview themes included Care Coordination, Prevention of Acute Care Utilization, and Access to Care. Findings suggest that residents, families, and site staff believe the NP Offsite Visit Program was beneficial and improved care coordination between residents and the provider team. The next step is to evaluate the program's impact on residents' health outcomes and further evaluate the Offsite team membership. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(7), 25-30.].

"I Have a Lotta Sad Feelin'" - Unaddressed Mental Health Needs and Self-Support Strategies in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living

OBJECTIVE

To investigate mental health needs and barriers to seeking mental health support in Medicaid-funded Assisted Living Facility (M-ALF).

DESIGN

A multimethod, qualitative-dominant descriptive design using questionnaires and semistructured interviews.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study occurred at a M-ALF in the Bronx, New York. A researcher in residence recruited 13 residents (11 Black or African American, 2 Asian) using purposive sampling.

METHODS

Demographic data and mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness) were measured with questionnaires (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Hopelessness Survey) and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Interviews were conducted between June and November 2021, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen residents (mean age: 73.4 years, mean length of stay: 3.5 years; range: 1.0-7.5) completed data collection. Quantitatively indicators of unmet mental health were common. Qualitatively, residents reported barriers to mental health access to address depression, anxiety, and substance use. This was accompanied by concerns surrounding loss of autonomy, mistrust for M-ALF organizational support, isolation and uncertainty about how to receive mental health support. Perspectives were shaped by past experiences with institutional living, serious illness, and being unhoused. Themes and subthemes were (1) mental health need (unmet mental health need, depression, and anxiety and seeking support through non-mental health resources) and (2) barriers to mental health support (dissatisfaction with M-ALF care, perceived threats to autonomy, desire for autonomy that leads to diminished care seeking).

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Residents of M-ALF have mental health needs for which care is stymied by loss of autonomy, lack of resources, and the M-ALF environment. Residents use unconventional resources to address needs that may be neither efficient nor effective. Novel mental health interventions and processes are needed to improve mental health access and should prioritize residents' desire for autonomy and the unique circumstances of living in M-ALF.

Defining the Assisted Living Sector in Canada: An Environmental Scan

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we (1) identify the terms used to describe the assisted living sector and the legislation governing operation in all Canadian provinces and territories; (2) identify the cost estimates associated with residency in these homes; and (3) quantify the growth of the sector.

DESIGN

Environmental scan.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Internet searches of Canadian provincial and territorial government websites and professional associations were conducted in 2021 to retrieve publicly accessible sources related to the assisted living sector.

METHODS

We synthesized data that identified the terms used to describe the sector in all provinces and territories, the legislation governing operation, financing, median fees per month for care, and growth of the sector from 2012 to 2020. Counts and proportions were calculated for some extracted variables. All data were narratively synthesized.

RESULTS

The terms used to describe the assisted living sector varied across Canada. The terms "assisted living," "retirement homes," and "supportive living" were prevalent. Ontario was the only province to regulate the sector through an independent, not-for-profit organization. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta had some of the highest median fees for room, board, and care per month (range: $1873 to $6726). The licensed assisted living sector in Ontario doubled in size (768 in 2020 vs 383 in 2012), and there was a threefold increase in the number of corporate-owned chain assisted living facilities (465 in 2020 vs 142 in 2012).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The rapid growth of the assisted living sector that is primarily financed through out-of-pocket payments may indicate a rise in a two-tier system of housing and health care for older adults. Policymakers need better mechanisms, such as standardized reporting systems and assessments, to understand the needs of older adults who reside in assisted living facilities and inform the need for sector regulation and oversight.

Recommendations for Medical and Mental Health Care in Assisted Living Based on an Expert Delphi Consensus Panel: A Consensus Statement

IMPORTANCE

Assisted living (AL) is the largest provider of residential long-term care in the US, and the morbidity of AL residents has been rising. However, AL is not a health care setting, and concern has been growing about residents' medical and mental health needs. No guidance exists to inform this care.

OBJECTIVE

To identify consensus recommendations for medical and mental health care in AL and determine whether they are pragmatic.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

A Delphi consensus statement study was conducted in 2021; as a separate effort, the extent to which the recommendations are reflected in practice was examined in data obtained from 2016 to 2021 (prepandemic). In the separate effort, data were from a 7-state study (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas). The 19 Delphi panelists constituted nationally recognized experts in medical, nursing, and mental health needs of and care for older adults; dementia care; and AL and long-term care management, advocacy, regulation, and education. One invitee was unavailable and nominated an alternate. The primary outcome was identification of recommended practices based on consensus ratings of importance. Panelists rated 183 items regarding importance to care quality and feasibility.

FINDINGS

Consensus identified 43 recommendations in the areas of staff and staff training, nursing and related services, resident assessment and care planning, policies and practices, and medical and mental health clinicians and care. To determine the pragmatism of the recommendations, their prevalence was examined in the 7-state study and found that most were in practice. The items reflected the tenets of AL, the role of AL in providing dementia care, the need for pragmatism due to the diversity of AL, and workforce needs.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this consensus statement, 43 recommendations important to medical and mental health care in AL were delineated that are highly pragmatic as a guide for practice and policy.