Behavior sequences of long-term care residents and their social partners

OBJECTIVES: This study examines similarities and differences in social interactions of residents of an assisted living facility and those of a nursing home. Given increasingly popular alternative models of long-term care such as assisted living, the study seeks to identify how these long-term care settings differentially promote dependence and independence among their residents. METHODS: Data were collected during 256 observations of 64 residents and their social partners at meal times in public areas. Sequences of antecedent and response behaviors relating to independence and dependence in the two different long-term care settings were examined. RESULTS: Social partners responded consistently to behavior of long-term care residents, and the behavior of residents was consistently affected by that of their social partners. These sequential interactions were not affected by setting. DISCUSSION: Differences in the nursing home and assisted living facilities' stated philosophies of care were not manifested in the interactions of their staff and residents.