[Shared-housing arrangements for care-dependent people in Germany. A literature overview of structures, outcomes and quality management].

A main factor for the development of shared-housing arrangements (SHA) was the wish of more self-determination in old age. Since January 2013 SHA is government-funded through the "Pflege-Neuausrichtungs-Gesetz" (PNG). Yet, an overview of the situation of SHA in Germany is not available. Therefore, a systematic literature search (databases CareLit, CINAHL, GeroLit, PubMed) was conducted in order to identify publications regarding resident- and care-specific characteristics, resident-related health outcomes and setting-specific quality management systems. The currently available knowledge in these fields is not exhaustive and further research is needed. The results indicate that care in SHA is not more efficient regarding residents' quality of life than in institutional care settings. Valid studies regarding the quality of care provision in SHA and conceptual basics concerning quality assessment are widely lacking. Thus, the goal of expanding SHA within the framework of the PNG has to be accompanied by in-depth health services research.