title: Assisted living and the aging trajectory.
abstract: Assisted living (AL) is a caregiving option between independent living and nursing home placement. This study explores women residents' experience of AL in four Midwestern facilities, using interview and field research methods. We found that most residents wanted to stay in AL rather than move to a nursing home; they looked backward nostalgically toward home, and complied with staff rules and directives in order to remain in place. In contrast to nursing homes, AL allows residents to experience continuities with self and home: a private room, some of their own belongings, and access to relationships and activities associated with self and home. Given the expanded lifespan and growing popularity of AL, it is becoming a new stage in the trajectory of women's aging.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas School of Nursing, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160-7502, USA. kwilliams1@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Kristine N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Carol A B
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010550:Personal Space; D016387:Women's Health