Authors' objectives:

To analyze the problems and opportunities created by the rapid proliferation of nursing home special care units for people with dementia and discuss ways in which government could respond to these problems and opportunities.

Authors' results and conclusions: A large number and proportion of nursing home residents in the U. S. have dementia. Special care units are proliferating in response to concerns about the quality and appropriateness of the care they receive in most nursing homes. Experts in dementia care agree about the principles of care, but there is considerable disagreement about how the principles should be implemented, and existing special care units vary greatly in every respect.

Authors' recommendations: Evaluative research is needed to determine the impact of special care units on residents, families, staff members, and nondemented nursing home residents. It is too soon for special regulations for special care units, but families and others need information about special care units to help them make decisions about placement of the person with dementia. Disclosure requirements are preferable to special regulations to protect patients and families from nursing homes that claim to provide special care but actually provide nothing special for their residents with dementia. Other output or dissemination activity: No special regulations for special care units have been established by states since the release of the report. Disclosure requirements have been established in three states.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wws.princeton.edu:80/~ota/ns20/pubs_f.html

Year Published: 1992

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: U. S. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment

Copyright: Office of Technology Assessment