Why older adults with light care needs enter and remain in nursing homes.

Full Abstract

Many patients in nursing homes receive limited services. In 1996, approximately 17% of the 1.6 million nursing home residents received assistance with two or less activities of daily living (ADL). This descriptive study addressed this issue by investigating why residents with light care needs enter and remain in nursing homes. Residents with light care needs (N = 20) identified by directors of nursing were interviewed to elicit why they entered and remain in nursing homes. Their care level was estimated using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Resource Utilization Groups, Version III (RUG-III). In this study, older adults with light care needs who decide to enter and remain in nursing homes were found to be influenced by a prior hospitalization or a health event; the perceived inability to manage instrumental ADLs (IADLs), ADLs, or health monitoring at home; and lack of knowledge about alternatives to nursing home care. This study demonstrates the vital role nurse case managers can play in both acute care settings and nursing homes. They can help older adults with light care needs to make informed decisions about long-term care, seek out community options, and set in place assistive care systems that can help them age in the community.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Grando, Victoria T (VT); Mehr, David (D); Popejoy, Lori (L); Maas, Meridean (M); Rantz, Marilyn (M); Wipke-Tevis, Deidre D (DD); Westhoff, Reghnald (R);

Affiliation: University of Missouri-Columbia, Sinclair School of Nursing, 65211, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of gerontological nursing (J Gerontol Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jul; vol 28 (issue 7) : pp 47-53

Dates: Created 2002/08/09; Completed 2002/09/10; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12168718, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.

See 100+ related articles.