Supportive State Regulations Help Assisted Living Residents Die in Place

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Researchers from Brown University School of Public Health found a positive correlation between states with supportive third-party service regulations and the likelihood of assisted living residents dying in place.

Third-Party Services in Minnesota

Regulations in Minnesota for assisted living support third-party services, requiring that assisted living contracts assure "the resident's right to obtain services from an unaffiliated service provider."

The Assisted Living Bill of Rights also covers the opportunity to utilize third-party providers stated in 144G.91, Subd. 24, "Information about other providers and services: Residents have the right to be informed by the assisted living facility, before executing an assisted living contract, that other public and private services may be available and that the resident has the right to purchase, contract for, or obtain services from a provider other than the assisted living facility."

About the Study

The cohort study looked at more than 168,000 decedents in 8,315 large (25 beds or more) assisted living residences in the US. This study reviewed third-party services for hospice, home health, and private care aides in state regulations for assisted living providers. Only 13 states supported all third-party services, and six remained silent on third-party rules. Researchers note that additional research is needed to identify the determinants of the place of death and the quality of end-of-life care for assisted living residents. However, supportive regulations for services are critical to meeting care needs.