In 2012, skilled nursing facility (SNF) care accounted for $26.8 billion of health care spending. SNFs are intended to provide a setting for stabilized transitions for older adults. However, research shows that between a quarter and half of Medicare recipients are readmitted from SNF rehabilitation back to the hospital within…
The prevalence of older adults with dementia disorders is rising and presents significant difficulties to care providers and policy makers aiming to ensure cost-effective, high quality care for those that are aging. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are increasingly admitting older adults with dementia, and who often have significant comorbidity. Currently,…
Far too many nursing homes fail to keep their promise to provide quality care for their residents. With 300 Golden Living Centers nationwide, Golden Gate National Senior Care LLC is one such nursing home company that has failed to provide basic services to their vulnerable, older adult residents. Last Wednesday,…
The number of frail, older adults who require care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is growing. Cognitive and functional impairment, as well as significant medical comorbidity, is common among this population and are, thus, vulnerable to sharp declines in health. Annually, up to 75% of residents undergo an unexpected…
Not only is it important for residents in long-term care facilities to have the power to make their own decisions in daily living for their well-being, the ethical and legal protection of their autonomy to make these decisions is imperative. Many nursing home residents’ ability to make their own decisions…
Physical frailty is prevalent among older adults living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as in the community. It is a medical syndrome with a variety of causes and contributors that is characterized by a decrease in strength, endurance, and weakened physiologic function that enhances a person’s…
Dementia is prevalent among older adults and requires expert care and decision making that draws from sound evidence. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is strongly established in health care and aims to ensure the best outcomes by implementing what is shown to be effective from research in clinical practice and service delivery.…
To assess and honor the preferences of older adult residents is a fundamental aspect of person-centered care in long-term care facilities. Although researchers and practitioners have initiated the development of measures to assess nursing home residents’ everyday preferences, not much is known regarding how residents interpret and conceptualize their preferences…
Patients with dementia are often burdened by their symptoms, while adequate symptom control is crucial to maintain or enhance quality of life. Most Americans with dementia eventually become admitted to, and die in long-term care facilities. Prevalent and important symptoms at the end of life are pain, agitation, and shortness…
In the United States, over 15, 500 nursing homes that are Medicaid or Medicare certified or both provide care to approximately 1.3 million people. Nursing homes must meet federally mandated minimum standards as a requirement of Medicare and Medicaid payment. Many concerns regarding the quality of nursing home care and…