Table 1 Overview of variables and their measurement

Size of the living unit

Number of beds in living unit ≤15

Size 0

Number of beds in living unit > 15

Size 1

Availability of single rooms

Living units do not exclusively have single rooms.

SRoom 0

Living units have only single rooms.

SRoom 1

Building specific for residents with dementia

The living unit was not specially built for people with dementia.

Build 0

The living unit was built specially for people with dementia.

Build 1

Architectural segregation from other units

The living unit is not located in a separate building or floor and is not separated by a closed door.

Separate 0

The living unit is located in a separate building, floor or is separated by a closed door.

Separate 1

Exit control

The living unit is not protected by an exit control.

Guarded 0

The living unit is protected by exit controls.

Guarded 1

Furnishing of public rooms

Furnishings are solely functional (Functional furniture is provided by the institution and designed for a special use.)

Furniture 0

Furnishings are functional and individual (Individual furniture is purchased from private individuals.)

Furniture 1

Opportunities to cook lunch in the living unit

Lunch is not cooked in the kitchen of the living unit.

Selfcook 0

Lunch is cooked in the kitchen of the living unit.

Selfcook 1

Meal serving system

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are not served homestyle on the table (tray system, dish system, buffet system or mixed system).

Mealserv 0

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are served homestyle on the table.

Mealserv 1

Constant assignment of nurses

Nurses do not work exclusively in one designated living unit.

AssignN 0

Nurses work exclusively in one designated living unit.

AssignN 1

Constant assignment of service staff

Service workers do not work exclusively in one designated living unit.

AssignSSM 0

Service workers work exclusively in one designated living unit.

AssignSSM 1

Continuous presence of a registered nurse

A registered nurse is not always present during the day shift in the living unit.

PresenceRN 0

A registered nurse is always present during day shift in the living unit.

PresenceRN 1

Special qualification of head nurse in psychogeriatric care

The head nurse of the living unit has no special qualification in psychogeriatric care.

Jobqual 0

The head nurse of the living unit has a special qualification in psychogeriatric care.

Jobqual 1

Additional financing regulated by a special agreement

Living unit is not additionally financed.

Finance 0

Living unit is additionally financed.

Finance 1

Living concept

Integration (residents with and without dementia live together in one living unit).

Segregative 0

Segregation (residents with dementia live together in one living unit).

Segregative 1

Residents-per-registered nurse ratio (defined as nurses with a minimum education of three years).

The RNRatio is greater than the median (cut-off: median = 18).

RNRatio 0

The RNRatio is less than or equal to the median (cut-off: median = 18).

RNRatio 1

Certified nursing assistant ratio (defined as nurses with a minimum education of one year)

There are no Certified nursing assistants working on the living unit.

CNARatio 0

There are Certified nursing assistants working on the living unit.

CNARatio 1

Residents-per- nursing assistant ratio (defined as nurses without any education)

The NARatio is greater than the median (cut-off: median = 16).

NARatio 0

The NARatio is less than or equal to the median (cut-off: median = 16).

NARatio 1

Residents-per-service staff member ratio

The SSMRatio is greater than the median (cut-off: median = 28).

SSMRatio 0

The SSMRatio is less than or equal to the median (cut-off: median = 28).

SSMRatio 1

Accessible outdoor area

There is no accessible outdoor area.

Outdoor 0

The residents can go out alone.

Outdoor 1

The residents can only go out in the presence of a caregiver.

Outdoor 2