Specialized Living Environments for Older People: A Conceptual Framework for Evaluation

Some demographic and social factors that indicate the need to place high priority on the development of specialized living environments and of community settings that are responsive to the needs of older people are described. The article then focuses on one central aspect of this issue: the formulation of a conceptual framework to guide evaluations of the features and impacts of specialized living settings. The implementation of portions of the framework is illustrated by a description of a new environmental assessment procedure and by discussion of two aspects of congregate settings: person‐environment selection and allocation; and the provision of opportunities for resident choice and control.