title: Policy and research issues for small assisted living facilities.
abstract: Dramatic growth in Assisted Living (AL) has resulted in increasing research and policy interest. This analysis compares smaller and larger AL facilities in four states to determine whether extant measures of four key concepts, used to distinguish the AL sector, give advantage to larger facilities. Quantitative comparisons predominantly show differences favorable to larger facilities; qualitative information raises the prospect that current measures overlook beneficial aspects of smaller facilities. If small facilities are included under the AL banner. both policy provisions and quality assessment must be carefully crafted to avoid placing small homes in funding and oversight jeopardy as AL develops.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Maryland. Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. lmorgan@umbc.edu
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: J Kevin
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gruber-Baldini
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D009515:New Jersey; D009657:North Carolina; D011640:Public Policy