Dementia and transitioning from assisted living to memory care units: perspectives of administrators in three facility types

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines transitioning residents with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (ADRD) from assisted living facilities (ALFs) to memory care units (MCUs) from the perspective of 3 ALF organizational models: freestanding ALFs, ALFs with MCUs, and ALFs in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) with MCUs.

Design and methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 ALF administrators, representing the 3 ALF types. Grounded theory identified major themes. Thematic analysis organized content. The constant comparison method compared themes among ALF types.

Results: Administrators in freestanding ALFs were notably more likely to discuss transfer policies on admission. CCRCs with MCUs were more likely to make multidisciplinary decisions. In ALFs with MCUs, typically, the administrator and the director of nursing or resident care coordinator decided. In all ALFs, challenges included family resistance and denial of deficits, although there was notably less resistance in freestanding ALFs. CCRCs were much less likely than ALFs with MCUs to have trial admissions.

Implications: ALF administrators may reduce family resistance to the MCU transfer by maintaining ongoing dialogue with family, discussing transfers at admission, conducting periodic resident reassessments, and providing opportunities for families to learn about ADRD.