Balancing Safety and Privacy: The Case of Room Locks in Assisted Living

Assisted living settings are charged with protecting privacy and choice of residents while guaranteeing safety and providing services. This article uses qualitative data from seven distinct assisted living settings to illuminate the challenge of balancing these expectations to maximize quality of life for residents. The simple object of door locks serves as the focal point for narrative from residents, family, staff, and administrators regarding the daily dilemmas of balancing these goals. Results show that there is a lack of consensus on the relative importance of locks and security within and across groups and settings. As residents age in place, sustaining the balance is likely to become even more challenging.