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

Objectives. This study examines similarities and differences in social inte ractions 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 s ettings differentially promote dependence and independence among their resi dents. Methods. Data were collected during 256 observations of 64 residents and th eir social partners at meal times in public areas. Sequences of antecedent and response behaviors relating to independence and dependence in the two d ifferent long-term care settings were examined. Results. Social partners responded consistently to behavior of long-term ca re residents, and the behavior of residents was consistently affected by th at of their social partners. These sequential interactions were not affecte d by setting. Discussion. Differences in the nursing home and assisted living facilities' stated philosophies of care were not manifested in the interactions of the ir staff and residents.