Assisted living facilities as a site for NP practice.
OBJECTIVE
To describe what an assisted living facility (ALF) is who resides in ALFs, and the benefits of nurse practitioner (NP) practice in an ALF for the client, facility, NP, and practice.


METHODS
Selected scientific literature, legal and regulatory guidelines, consumer information and guidelines, Internet sites, and the authors' experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Assisted living facilities are nonmedical residential settings grounded in a philosophy of providing residents with choice, autonomy, privacy, independence, dignity, and respect in a housing environment as homelike as possible. Nationally, ALFs vary considerably by size, services provided, and regulations imposed by states.


CONCLUSIONS
Assisted living facilities are now a popular choice for individuals who desire assistance with selected activities of daily living (ADL) while maintaining maximum independence. They are becoming an excellent site for the provision of in-home primary care in order to facilitate aging in place.
Wink
Diane M
DM
University of Central Florida School of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA. wink@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Holcomb
Lygia Owen
LO
D000068:Accreditation / Q000458:organization & administration; D000368:Aged; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce