Exploring the Complex Policies and Challenges of Private Equity Investment in Assisted Living
We are excited to announce the publication of new co-authored research papers by our faculty, Paula Carder, PhD. One paper, in Health Affairs, delves into the intricate policies and challenges surrounding private equity investment in the assisted living sector, and the other encourages innovations for improving assisted living policies in the U.S.
According to Carder’s research, “Assisted living has promised assistance and quality of living to older adults for more than eighty years. It is the largest residential provider of long-term care in the United States, serving more than 918,000 older adults as of 2018. As assisted living has evolved, the needs of residents have become more challenging; staffing shortages have worsened; regulations have become complex; the need for consumer support, education, and advocacy has grown; and financing and accessibility have become insufficient.”
In one of the articles, Carder, along with SPH faculty Lindsey Smith, PhD describe important policy topics that affect the quality of life of 100s of thousands of older adult residents of assisted living facilities in the US. “We urge caution among policymakers who want to apply untested policies that limit private equity investment in assisted living.” – says Carder.
Carder and colleagues offer recommendations for improving assisted living policies and procedures based on evidence that the initial promise of this long-term care sector is not able to address multiple competing challenges, including affordability, workforce, and regulations.
Carder and fellow researchers’ findings are particularly timely as the debate around private equity investment in healthcare continues to evolve on both a state and federal level. We invite you to read the full publications to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and proposed solutions.