Objectives: Assisted living (AL) is an expanding site of end-of-life (EOL) care in the US. Understanding determinants of quality of life (QoL) for AL residents near EOL is vital to optimize care for this growing population, most of whom have some degree of cognitive impairment (CI). This analysis aimed to identify factors associated with QoL in a diverse sample of AL residents with CI approaching EOL. Design: Observational cross-section design. Setting and participants: Data are from a 5-year study funded by the National Institute on Aging examining EOL care of residents in 7 diverse AL communities in metropolitan Atlanta (n=67). Methods: CI was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (scores ≤ 26) and QoL was determined with the self-reported QoL in Alzheimer’s disease (QoL-AD) survey adapted for use in AL. Psychological distress was assessed using the PHQ-4 and fatigue was assessed using the 13-item FACIT-Fatigue scale questionnaire. Initial descriptive analyses were followed by backward stepwise regression analyses to select a best-fitting model of QoL. Results: The final model predicted 27% of the variance in QoL. CI was not significantly correlated with QoL and was not retained in the final model. Pain and functional limitation also did not meet inclusion criteria (p ≤ 0.10) and were sequentially removed, producing a final model of QoL in terms of psychological distress (β=−.28, p=.032), fatigue (β=−.26, p=.048), and race (β=.21, p=.063). Conclusions and Implications: The lack of a significant correlation between degree of CI and self-reported QoL suggests that AL residents have the potential to experience high QoL, despite CI. Interventions to reduce psychological distress and manage fatigue could be implemented during EOL care to attempt to improve QoL for AL residents with CI. The correlation between race and QoL warrants investigation into possible racial disparities in AL and EOL care.

Objectives: This project examined administrator processes, barriers, and facilitators for conducting advance care planning in assisted living. Method: Data from qualitative interviews with 27 administrators from seven diverse assisted living communities in the metropolitan Atlanta area were linked with descriptive and administrative data collected from each site and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Although administrators generally contended with a lack of staff training and stakeholders’ reluctance to discuss advance care planning and end-of-life care, important facilitators of advance care planning in some assisted living communities included periodic follow-up discussions of residents’ wishes and successfully educating consumers about the importance of planning. Three study communities whose administrators discussed planning with residents and informal caregivers during regular care plan meetings had more advance care planning documents on file. Discussion: These findings demonstrate the potential for nonmedical organizations, such as assisted living, to successfully promote advance care planning among their members.

Objectives: The number of people living with dementia is growing and most patients go years without receiving a specific diagnosis or support services, leading to suboptimal care, negative impacts on the quality of life, and increased costs of care. To address these gaps, the State of Georgia Department of Human Services collaborated with academic and community partners to create the Georgia Memory Net (GMN). Design: GMN is a hub and spoke model partnered with Emory University's Cognitive Neurology Clinic and Emory Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center to provide training and support for best practices in diagnosis and management to Memory Assessment Clinics (MACs) throughout the state. Setting: Communities across the State of Georgia. Participants: GMN is a mix of academic and community providers, hospital systems, state and community agencies. Patients and families are evaluated at the MACs and connected to community services. Intervention: A dedicated clinic workflow: primary care providers (PCPs) identify a memory problem and refer to the MACs for diagnostic evaluation; meeting with a community services educator, and development of a care plan. The patient is reconnected with the PCP for continuity of care. Measurements: Initial metrics include numbers of unique patients, total patient visits, and referrals to state agency partners for community services. Results: GMN established five MACs across Georgia with annual state funding. Partners at Emory University provided initial training; refined patient workflows for best practices; and provide ongoing support, guidance, and continuing education for MAC teams. Local PCPs and community services partners demonstrated strong engagement with the new model. Conclusions: GMN is an innovative care model to improve access to accurate and timely diagnosis in patients with memory loss. GMN may help improve the quality of life for patients and families through preventive and early care.

Meaningful engagement is an important dimension of quality of life and care for persons living with dementia, including the growing number who reside in assisted living communities. This report presents preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative study aimed at identifying best care practices to create and maintain meaningful engagement among persons with dementia. Over a 1-year period, we conducted interviews, residents’ record review, and participant observations in four diverse care communities. Our analysis identified four approaches that successfully promote meaningful engagement: (a) knowing the person, (b) connecting with and meeting people where they are, (c) being in the moment, and (d) viewing all encounters as opportunity. Incorporation of these approaches in care routines and adoption by all care partners can promote meaningful engagement, including during crises such as COVID-19.

Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity, older adults are more sedentary than any other age group. This issue is particularly true for assisted living (AL) residents, which also represents an important and often overlooked aspect of palliative care. Here, we analyze ethnographic and interview data from a longitudinal study aimed at identifying best practices for palliative care in one African American AL community. The aim was to identify the factors that facilitate and constrain resident participation in instructor-led group exercise. Thematic analysis identified several main themes including the quality and location of the exercise program, AL staffing limitations, residents’ health and function, values about exercise, and residents’ interest in recreation and social engagement. We identified facilitators and barriers that shaped residents’ opportunity, desire, and commitment related to attending group exercise. Findings have implications for interventions aimed at increasing resident participation in group exercise, leading to multiple health benefits.