Defining quality in assisted living: comparing apples, oranges, and broccoli.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to discuss and describe various measures of quality, quality indicators, and uses of information on quality with specific reference to the role or purpose of assisted living.


METHODS
We reviewed a variety of major studies of assisted living quality. We elaborated models of assisted living based on differing goals or claims made for it by providers and policy makers. We then searched for available quality measures that might indicate whether assisted living was meeting those goals or living up to those claims.


RESULTS
Any meaningful concept of "quality" must embrace a variety of dimensions, including quality of care, quality of life, the physical environment, and resident rights. The ability to use a multidimensional concept of quality is complicated by the lack of consensus, confusion, and disagreement among consumers, providers, and regulators about the role of assisted living. This disagreement significantly confounds the task of comparing quality among assisted living settings and between assisted living and other types of long-term care.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose ways that researchers may compare quality along dimensions claimed to be intrinsic to assisted living as part of an effort to inform consumer information systems, quality monitoring and assurance systems, and policy-relevant research. Such comparisons would vary, depending on the intended use of the indicators and role defined for assisted living. However, all uses contain structural, process, and outcome quality indicators, including direct feedback from interviews with residents that go beyond satisfaction measures.
Hawes
Catherine
C
Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M HSC, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA. hawes@srph.tamhsc.edu
Phillips
Charles D
CD
D000368:Aged; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States