Informal help in the assisted living setting: A 1-year analysis

Using statewide data from Oregon (N = 596 at baseline), this study compares informal help received by assisted living (AL) and nursing home (NH) residents over a 1-year period. The analysis also identifies predictors of informal help among AL and NH residents with an expanded version of the Behavioral Model. Instrumental assistance (i.e., help with shopping, appointments, transportation) was more prevalent in the AL setting throughout the analysis. Regression models found multiple predictors of informal help among AL and NH residents (i.e., predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics). The results imply that the AL setting facilitates informal help provision; however, predictors of support are varied and require greater attention in future research.