Adjusting to the transition into assisted living: Opportunities for nurse practitioners.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transition from an independent living residence to assisted living (AL) is challenging. The study purpose was to understand such a transition from the perspective of older women.

METHODS

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore how 17 older women living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community, many of whom were recently widowed, experienced this transition.

CONCLUSIONS

Three major themes emerged from the interviews: preplanning, executing, and adjusting to the transition. Even with facility, family and staff assistance, the transition was challenging, and adjustment was affected when participants had physical or sensory impairments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Older adult women transitioning to AL settings should be assessed for adjustment to the new setting. Those with sensory, cognitive, emotional, or physical problems will need additional supportive strategies to help with adjustment. With a rapidly expanding population, AL settings offer new opportunities for nurse practitioners to promote the health and well-being of older adults.