Abstract
Residents (n = 396) at 20 assisted living (AL) settings were interviewed as were program staff and administrators to understand how resident choice, getting needed care, and a sense of community were promoted or hindered. Residents reported relatively independent and autonomous lives, yet many experienced unmet health and long-term care needs and limited participation in meaningful activities or community life. Strong support was found for the hypothesis that AL program and site features influence resident experiences, particularly in regard to supporting independent lifestyles, minimizing avoidable care problems, and increasing community involvement.