Dementia care in assisted living: needs and challenges

Assisted living (AL) is an increasingly popular long-term care option for older adults with dementia. Recent reports suggest that as many as 68% of AL residents have dementia, and that frequency of both behavioral symptoms and psychotropic medications are high. This pilot project explored the feasibility of research methods for use in AL facilities. Findings suggest that most AL residents with dementia have moderate to severe dementia, and the majority are taking one or more psychotropic medication. Descriptive and qualitative findings related to health records, caregiver perceptions of behavioral symptoms, and practicality of assessment methods undertaken are described and implications for psychiatric nursing practice and research are reviewed.