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. 2020 Dec 10:6:2333721420979840.
doi: 10.1177/2333721420979840. eCollection 2020 Jan-Dec.

Revisiting the Role of Physicians in Assisted Living and Residential Care Settings

Sarah Dys  1   2 , Lindsey Smith  1   2 , Ozcan Tunalilar  2 , Paula Carder  1   2
Affiliations

Revisiting the Role of Physicians in Assisted Living and Residential Care Settings

Sarah Dys et al. Gerontol Geriatr Med. .

Abstract

As the United States population ages, a higher share of adults is likely to use long-term services and supports. This change increases physicians' need for information about assisted living and residential care (AL/RC) settings, which provide supportive care and housing to older adults. Unlike skilled nursing facilities, states regulate AL/RC settings through varying licensure requirements enforced by state agencies, resulting in differences in the availability of medical and nursing services. Where some settings provide limited skilled nursing care, in others, residents rely on resident care coordinators, or their own physicians to oversee chronic conditions, medications, and treatments. The following narrative review describes key processes of care where physicians may interact with AL/RC operators, staff, and residents, including care planning, managing Alzheimer's disease and related conditions, medication management, and end-of-life planning. Communication and collaboration between physicians and AL/RC operators are a crucial component of care management.

Keywords: assisted living; long-term services and supports; primary care physicians; residential care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prevalence of AL/RC resident support needs. Note. Data from National Study of Long Term Care Providers (NSLTCP) and National Study of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Most prevalent chronic health conditions among AL/RC residents. Note. Data from NSLTCP.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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