Journal article
Determinants of the Rigor of State Protection Policies for Persons With Dementia in Assisted Living
Journal of aging & social policy, Vol.29(2), pp.123-142
03/15/2017
DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2016.1236324
PMID: 27649470
Abstract
Continued growth in the number of individuals with dementia residing in assisted living (AL) facilities raises concerns about their safety and protection. However, unlike federally regulated nursing facilities, AL facilities are state-regulated and there is a high degree of variation among policies designed to protect persons with dementia. Despite the important role these protection policies have in shaping the quality of life of persons with dementia residing in AL facilities, little is known about their formation. In this research, we examined the adoption of AL protection policies pertaining to staffing, the physical environment, and the use of chemical restraints. For each protection policy type, we modeled policy rigor using an innovative point-in-time approach, incorporating variables associated with state contextual, institutional, political, and external factors. We found that the rate of state AL protection policy adoptions remained steady over the study period, with staffing policies becoming less rigorous over time. Variables reflecting institutional policy making, including legislative professionalism and bureaucratic oversight, were associated with the rigor of state AL dementia protection policies. As we continue to evaluate the mechanisms contributing to the rigor of AL protection policies, it seems that organized advocacy efforts might expand their role in educating state policy makers about the importance of protecting persons with dementia residing in AL facilities and moving to advance appropriate policies.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Determinants of the Rigor of State Protection Policies for Persons With Dementia in Assisted Living
- Creators
- Matthew C Nattinger - Analyst, U. S. Government Accountability OfficeBrian Kaskie - Associate Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of aging & social policy, Vol.29(2), pp.123-142
- Publisher
- Routledge
- DOI
- 10.1080/08959420.2016.1236324
- PMID
- 27649470
- ISSN
- 0895-9420
- eISSN
- 1545-0821
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/15/2017
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Record Identifier
- 9984063122102771
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