AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF COMMINGLING COGNITIVELY AND NONCOGNITIVELY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS IN LONG-TERM-CARE FACILITIES

A sample of 77 noncognitively impaired individuals residing in integra ted long-term care units housing both demented and nondemented residen ts were assessed in terms of morale and satisfaction with their enviro nment and with life. One third of these individuals lived near and/or shared a bathroom with a cognitively and/or behaviorally impaired indi vidual. Residents placed next to demented individuals had significantl y.fewer kin contacts, were more likely to be unmarried or never marrie d, and were more dissatisfied with their roommate/living situation.