This article reports on the first two phases of a larger research project that was undertaken to fill the gap in information about resident identified issues related to their lives in aged living and care facilities. The information was obtained from over 1000 residents of aged living and care facilities who responded to an open question about issues affecting their lives. The results clustered around four major concerns for residents: the social environment; the physical environment; issues of governance; and activities which support active living. These four issues have been mentioned as important in literature for the care of the elderly however, as a result of this research, managers and researchers are provided with a validated holistic framework for planning and evaluating change within aged living and care facilities.