Document Type

Poster

Campus where you would like to present

Des Moines

Event Website

http://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/

Start Date

3-3-2016

Keywords

Socioeconomic segregation, assisted living, dissimilarity index, isolation index

Abstract

This research project looks at the relationships between segregation by socio-economic status, race & ethnicity, and the location of assisted living facilities in the state of Washington. We know that segregation affects a variety of living conditions and life chances and outcomes, such as employment, housing, and school success rates. We lack research, however, on the effects of segregation on the location of assisted living facilities. Are assisted living homes being located in heavily segregated neighborhoods? Assisted living homes are not subject to the standard regulations that a nursing home is, and often the residents of these homes are not being cared for by qualified professionals. Are the residents of assisted living facilities – already marginalized in main stream society – being spatially marginalized as well? This research will give us a better idea of how the state of Washington is caring for its elderly population.

To measure segregation, I calculate the dissimilarity and isolation indexes, using counties as the unit of measurement and analysis. I used data on census tract and county racial and ethnic composition and socio-economic status, including welfare receipt, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Decennial Census, and the American Community Survey (various years). I thus examined the distribution of the population by socio-economic status, race and ethnicity across census tracts within counties. Data on assisted living is taken from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Michael Mulcahy, Program Director

Department/Program

Bachelor of Science Social Services

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Mar 3rd, 12:00 AM

Socioeconomic Segregation and the Location of Assisted Living Facilities in WA State

Des Moines

This research project looks at the relationships between segregation by socio-economic status, race & ethnicity, and the location of assisted living facilities in the state of Washington. We know that segregation affects a variety of living conditions and life chances and outcomes, such as employment, housing, and school success rates. We lack research, however, on the effects of segregation on the location of assisted living facilities. Are assisted living homes being located in heavily segregated neighborhoods? Assisted living homes are not subject to the standard regulations that a nursing home is, and often the residents of these homes are not being cared for by qualified professionals. Are the residents of assisted living facilities – already marginalized in main stream society – being spatially marginalized as well? This research will give us a better idea of how the state of Washington is caring for its elderly population.

To measure segregation, I calculate the dissimilarity and isolation indexes, using counties as the unit of measurement and analysis. I used data on census tract and county racial and ethnic composition and socio-economic status, including welfare receipt, from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 Decennial Census, and the American Community Survey (various years). I thus examined the distribution of the population by socio-economic status, race and ethnicity across census tracts within counties. Data on assisted living is taken from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2016/cos/9