Residential Community Settings Research Articles

Stronger Impact of Interpersonal Aspects of Satisfaction Versus Tangible Aspects on Sustainable Level of Resident Loyalty in Continuing Care Retirement Community: A Case Study

The objectives of the study were to examine the impact of interpersonal and tangible aspects of resident satisfaction on word-of-mouth (WOM) intention in community-embedded third places with long-duration service experiences and to investigate the mediating effect of interpersonal aspects on the relationship between tangible resident satisfaction and WOM intention. Paper-based survey questionnaires and postage-paid envelopes were mailed to 293 continuing care retirement community (CCRC) residents. Reliability and validity of the multidimensional construct of resident satisfaction were ensured through confirmatory factor analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis and MANOVA were used to test the hypotheses. A total of 157 completed surveys were received. Analysis showed that two categories of resident satisfaction were statistically distinct. Interpersonal aspects of resident satisfaction (resident involvement, social interaction, and staff care) positively impacted WOM intention more than the tangible aspects (room, home, and meals service). The relationship between tangible resident satisfaction and WOM intention was mediated by interpersonal aspects of resident satisfaction. This study contributes to the literature by (1) examining the mediating effect of interpersonal resident satisfaction between tangible satisfaction and WOM intention in community embedded third places and by (2) exploring the role of non-traditional third places, (i.e., third places nested within residential community settings) as opposed to conventional types (i.e., individual commercial settings). Thus, it addresses the call for research on permanent residents with long-duration service experiences and the effect of one location nested within another.

A Comparison of Inpatient Adult Psychiatric Services in Italy and Canada

We examine the possibility the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) bed count for Italy may be an underestimation of the actual beds available. We compared bedded services for mental disorders in two regions in Italy and Canada respectively. We found out that if we consider acute psychiatric beds only, the district of Ferrara has 30 beds (8.5 per 100,000) and the Middlesex and Elgin Counties have 89 beds (16.3 beds for 100,000). However, if we include the rehabilitation beds (that are located within a hospital setting in Ontario and in a residential community setting in Ferrara), we find that the district of Ferrara has 95 beds (27.0 per 100,000) and the Middlesex and Elgin Counties have 176 beds (32.3 per 100,000). As a result, the 10/100,000 beds rate for Italy reported by the OECD is an underestimate compared to figures reported for most other countries, as the beds included are hospital beds only.

An evaluation of positive behavioural support for children with challenging behaviour in community settings.

This study employs a multiple baseline across individual design to describe the implementation of positive behavioural supports for seven children and adolescents in residential community settings over a period of 24 months. These individuals with intellectual disability are residing in one county with long-standing challenging behaviour resulting in home breakdown and serious physical injury. Four types of outcome are presented: rates of behaviour, rates of medication, psychiatric symptomatology and quality of life (QoL). Behaviours reduced to lower levels for the majority of participants following the implementation of positive behavioural supports, and improvements were largely sustained. The use of psychotropic medications reduced or stabilized for the majority of individuals over the same period. QoL Questionnaire scores improved substantially for four participants. The results are discussed in the context of a framework for supporting children with severe challenging behaviours in the community.

Feasibility, benefits and challenges of using telemonitoring for the aging with Developmental Disabilities (DD): An exploratory study.

Telemonitoring is being increasingly used to provide services to patients with developmental disabilities in residential community settings. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility, benefits and challenges of using telemonitoring for aging patients with developmental disabilities. We also assess the benefits and challenges of telemonitoring for the caregivers of these patients. Focus groups and questionnaire-based surveys were used to collect data from patients and caregivers. The study found that telemonitoring was feasible and beneficial for the aging with developmental disabilities, albeit for those who are moderate to high functioning. It was not beneficial or feasible for those with very low functional capabilities. The study found that telemonitoring was beneficial towards providing more independence, more self-confidence in carrying out daily activities, and more knowledge regarding their disease. The study also found that telemonitoring was useful for caregivers to better understand their patients and their needs, better coordinate the services delivered, and to enhance the satisfaction of caregiving. The discussions include limitations of using quantitative methods in this type of setting.

Acceptance of dementia screening in continuous care retirement communities: a mailed survey.

In a recent systematic review of the evidence for dementia screening to support recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force, we found no evidence regarding the interest or willingness of older adults to be screened, and insufficient evidence to provide an estimate of the potential harms of dementia screening. In an attempt to address the acceptability of dementia screening, we asked older adults living in two Continuous Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) if they would agree to routine screening for memory problems. Cross-sectional study using self-administered mailed survey questionnaires. Two CCRCs in Orange County, North Carolina. 500 residents of the independent living section of CCRCs. There was a 64% survey response rate. Of these, 49% of participants stated they would agree to routine screening for memory problems. In comparison to people who would not agree to routine memory screening, those who accepted memory screening were more likely to accept depression screening, be male, use drug-administration assisted devices, and take more medications. Approximately half of the residents in this affluent residential community setting were not willing to be screened routinely for memory problems. This high refusal rate indicates that dementia screening may be associated with perceived harms. We must improve our understanding of the decision-making process driving individual's beliefs and behaviors about dementia screening before implementing any broad-based screening initiatives for dementia or cognitive impairment.