Understanding dissemination and implementation of a new intervention in assisted living settings: the case of function-focused care.
Function-focused care (FFC) was developed to change the philosophy of care in assisted living (AL) to one in which nurses, direct care workers (DCWs) and other members of the health care team work with residents to optimize function and time spent in physical activities. The purpose of this article is to describe dissemination and implementation of FFC within the two assisted living communities in Maryland that were randomized to our FFC for assisted living intervention (FFC-AL). The reach, efficacy/effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) model was used to evaluate dissemination and implementation of FFC in these communities. A total of 171 residents and 96 DCWs consented to participate in the study and outcomes based on data collected from the participants as well as evidence for dissemination and implementation at the site level are provided. Findings can be used to guide others in dissemination and implementation of similar interventions in AL communities.