How private investors affect assisted living for people with dementia
Private Equity Expansion in Assisted Living: Implications for Dementia Care
This project looks at whether private-equity ownership of assisted living homes changes the care people with Alzheimer's and related dementias receive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309116 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one live in assisted living with dementia, this project will compare homes owned by private investors to other homes by looking at staffing, hospital transfers, and other care outcomes. The researchers will use national facility data, resident records, and interviews with staff and family caregivers to learn what happens after a private-equity purchase. They will follow facilities over time to see whether ownership changes lead to better or worse care for people with Alzheimer's and related dementias. The goal is to produce findings that help families, providers, and policymakers protect and improve care in assisted living.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who live in assisted living facilities, and their family caregivers, primarily in the United States.
Not a fit: People who do not live in assisted living—for example those living independently at home or in nursing homes—may not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide policies and choices that help protect or improve care for people with dementia living in assisted living.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies of private-equity ownership in nursing homes have produced mixed results, and focused research on assisted living and dementia care is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Kali St. Marie — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Kali St. Marie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.