Service Availability, Service Use, and Psychological Well-Being of Older Residents of Residential Care Facilities and Nursing Homes

THE PROBLEM: The availability and use of certain services that can compensate for older adults' decreased abilities and capabilities may help them maintain their independence and improve their psychological well-being. Therefore, this study investigated whether service availability and service use were associated with the psychological well-being of residents of residential care facilities and nursing homes.

THE RESOLUTION: Residents who used services that provide help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were more likely to report a worse mood, poor psychological health, and low self-efficacy compared with those living in facilities where the services were not available. On the other hand, older residents who used social and wellness-related services were more likely to have a better mood, good psychological health, and high self-efficacy.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Senior living facilities should consider providing more social and wellness-related services and encourage residents' use of such services to improve their psychological well-being.