Beyond the Retirement Years: A Comparative Analysis of Alternative Living Arrangements for the Elderly population
Over the past years, nursing homes have been associated with scandal and abuse. Often, many nursing home residents have suffered abuse and developed chronic illnesses as a result of their nursing home stay. There are various long term care facilities, two of which are nursing homes and adult living centers, though many of them do not provide healthy living conditions. Nursing homes serve as permanent residences for people who are too sick to live alone. An adult living center is a community- based program that is designed to meet the needs of functionally impaired adults. Many problems occur in nursing homes due to their being overcrowded and understaffed. Adult living centers are rarely overcrowded and understaffed.
The primary focus of this research is to determine whether adult living centers can provide healthier living conditions for the elderly population than nursing homes. The term "healthier living conditions" refers to facilities whereas malnutrition, dehydration, and bedsores are not prevalent. I will be comparing the different long term care laws that have been enacted in the state of Illinois and Mississippi. Throughout the paper, I will be comparing the differences that exist within each facility and try to find out why the differences exist. The data that was used for this research paper was obtained through literature collected through library sources and Internet sources. Through this research, I will try to show that adult living centers can provide a much healthier and safer environment for America's elderly population. Overall, many recommendations will be made to further enhance the quality of living in both facilities.
The primary focus of this research is to determine whether adult living centers can provide healthier living conditions for the elderly population than nursing homes. The term "healthier living conditions" refers to facilities whereas malnutrition, dehydration, and bedsores are not prevalent. I will be comparing the different long term care laws that have been enacted in the state of Illinois and Mississippi. Throughout the paper, I will be comparing the differences that exist within each facility and try to find out why the differences exist. The data that was used for this research paper was obtained through literature collected through library sources and Internet sources. Through this research, I will try to show that adult living centers can provide a much healthier and safer environment for America's elderly population. Overall, many recommendations will be made to further enhance the quality of living in both facilities.
School:
Jackson State University
Department:
Social Work / Gerontology
Research Advisor:
Janet Reis
Department of Research Advisor:
Community Health
Year of Publication:
2002