A Comparative Survey of Characteristics of Management and Elderly Residents in Homes for the Aged in Michigan.

Abstract

This investigation involved a state-wide survey of residential care facilities for the elderly known as Homes for the Aged in Michigan. Institutions were compared by size and economic status regarding characteristics of administrators, management policies and practices, and select resident and institutional characteristics. In a subsample of Homes (N = 15) drawn from the larger sample (N = 134), the relationship between elderly resident satisfaction with the living environment and select management and institutional variables were examined. It was anticipated that through an analysis of these variables assessments could be made concerning the Homes, elderly residents and professional and educational needs of the administrators. The study consisted of two phases. (1) A questionnaire was mailed to administrators of Homes soliciting information pertaining to managers, management policies, residents and institutions. Palmore's (revised) Facts on Aging Quiz and the Kilty-Feld Attitudes Toward Aging Scale were used as part of the instrument. A 63% response rate was obtained. (2) Stratification of a subsample of Homes based on size, location and economic status was obtained. Six tenants from each Home were interviewed to discover their satisfaction with their living situation. This information was cross-tabulated with management and institutional characteristics. Statistical measures of chi square, t-test and ANOVA were used. Major findings of the study revealed: (1) significant differences between Homes based on economic status and size regarding management policy and characteristics of administrators, residents and institutions; (2) satisfaction of residents in the subsample, when measured against management and institutional variables, showed little positive correlation except for health care; and (3) when elderly residents were compared in the subsample, more significant variance was discovered among tenants from Homes of various income--levels than from those of different sizes; the residents in the larger, higher-income Homes were more active and had more positive perceptions of their environment. Recommendations for future research as well as policy and practice were made concerning the administrators of the Homes, the institutions and the elderly residents.