The feasibility of measuring social networks among older adults in assisted living and dementia special care units.

The article discusses a study intended to develop and pilot test a combination of methodological approaches to capture social network data among older adults living in an assisted-living (AL) facility and dementia special care units (D SCUs). Topics discussed include an assessment of the cognitive status of all eligible residents 3 weeks before data collection and the importance of organization support to the success of the pilot study.