The physical environment influences neuropsychiatric symptoms and other outcomes in assisted living residents.
OBJECTIVE
Although the number of elderly residents living in assisted living (AL) facilities is rising, few studies have examined the AL physical environment and its impact on resident well-being. We sought to quantify the relationship of AL physical environment with resident outcomes including neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), quality of life (QOL), and fall risk, and to compare the effects for demented and non-demented residents.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of a stratified random sample of 326 AL residents living in 21 AL facilities. Measures included the Therapeutic Environmental Screening Scale for Nursing Homes and Residential Care (TESS-NH/RC) to rate facilities and in-person assessment of residents for diagnosis (and assessment of treatment) of dementia, ratings on standardized clinical, cognitive, and QOL measures. Regression models compared environmental measures with outcomes. TESS-NH/RC is modified into a scale for rating the AL physical environment AL-EQS.


RESULTS
The AL Environmental Quality Score (AL-EQS) was strongly negatively associated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total score (p < 0.001), positively associated with Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life (ADRQL) score (p = 0.010), and negatively correlated with fall risk (p = 0.042). Factor analysis revealed an excellent two-factor solution, Dignity and Sensory. Both were strongly associated with NPI and associated with ADRQL.


CONCLUSIONS
The physical environment of AL facilities likely affects NPS and QOL in AL residents, and the effect may be stronger for residents without dementia than for residents with dementia. Environmental manipulations that increase resident privacy, as well as implementing call buttons and telephones, may improve resident well-being.
Bicket
Mark C
MC
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, MD, USA.
Samus
Quincy M
QM
McNabney
Mathew
M
Onyike
Chiadi U
CU
Mayer
Lawrence S
LS
Brandt
Jason
J
Rabins
Peter
P
Lyketsos
Constantine
C
Rosenblatt
Adam
A
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life