Skilled Nursing Facilities

As more people live longer, the need for quality long-term care for the elderly will increase dramatically. This volume examines the current system of nursing home regulations, and proposes an overhaul to better provide for those confined to such facilities. It determines the need for regulations, and concludes that the present regulatory system is inadequate, stating that what is needed is not more regulation, but better regulation. This long-anticipated study provides a wealth of useful background information, in-depth study, and discussion for nursing home administrators, students, and teachers in the health care field; professionals involved in caring for the elderly; and geriatric specialists.

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Hospitals and nursing homes are responding to changes in the health care system by modifying staffing levels and the mix of nursing personnel. But do these changes endanger the quality of patient care? Do nursing staff suffer increased rates of injury, illness, or stress because of changing workplace demands? These questions are addressed in Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, a thorough and authoritative look at today's health care system that also takes a long-term view of staffing needs for nursing as the nation moves into the next century. The committee draws fundamental conclusions about the evolving role of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes and presents recommendations about staffing decisions, nursing training, measurement of quality, reimbursement, and other areas. The volume also discusses work-related injuries, violence toward and abuse of nursing staffs, and stress among nursing personnelâ€"and examines whether these problems are related to staffing levels. Included is a readable overview of the underlying trends in health care that have given rise to urgent questions about nurse staffing: population changes, budget pressures, and the introduction of new technologies. Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on our health care system.

Among the issues confronting America is long-term care for frail, older persons and others with chronic conditions and functional limitations that limit their ability to care for themselves. Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care takes a comprehensive look at the quality of care and quality of life in long-term care, including nursing homes, home health agencies, residential care facilities, family members and a variety of others. This book describes the current state of long-term care, identifying problem areas and offering recommendations for federal and state policymakers. Who uses long-term care? How have the characteristics of this population changed over time? What paths do people follow in long term care? The committee provides the latest information on these and other key questions. This book explores strengths and limitations of available data and research literature especially for settings other than nursing homes, on methods to measure, oversee, and improve the quality of long-term care. The committee makes recommendations on setting and enforcing standards of care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, reimbursement issues, and expanding the knowledge base to guide organizational and individual caregivers in improving the quality of care.

"[This book is] the most authoritative assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of recent trends toward the commercialization of health care," says Robert Pear of The New York Times. This major study by the Institute of Medicine examines virtually all aspects of for-profit health care in the United States, including the quality and availability of health care, the cost of medical care, access to financial capital, implications for education and research, and the fiduciary role of the physician. In addition to the report, the book contains 15 papers by experts in the field of for-profit health care covering a broad range of topicsâ€"from trends in the growth of major investor-owned hospital companies to the ethical issues in for-profit health care. "The report makes a lasting contribution to the health policy literature." â€"Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.

This book provides a knowledge base in nursing home practice that includes incontinence, pain evaluation and management, dementia and delirium, falls, drug use, nutrition, ethical and legal issues, and more.

Praise for earlier editions: "Beaulieu's book... clearly articulates what on-the-ground nursing home social work practice involves... These resources are useful as it is rare to be exposed to this type of information or detail during one's educational training... Beaulieu reveals layer upon layer of social worker roles, responsibilities, and important tools. This is a comprehensive guide for social workers." -The Gerontologist This is an essential compendium of information and insight for the nursing home social worker on how to successfully navigate the day-to-day responsibilities and complexities of this role. Written for both new and seasoned social workers, it clearly addresses everything there is to know in one handy resource. The substantially updated third edition reflects the latest political, economic, and cultural trends and requirements for nursing home facilities and how they impact social workers. It includes a new chapter on how knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) can aid in resident care plus major updates on disaster planning including workforce safety tips for pandemics and an expanded chapter on abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Along with another new chapter to reflect current practice focusing on pandemics and disasters, including COVID-19. The book delineates specific resources and supplemental materials to assist the social worker in their daily role. The third edition is particularly relevant in its coverage of how ethnicity and culture impact nursing home admission and stays as well as undertreated pain in older adults. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers. New to the Third Edition: Completely revised to consider the latest political, economic, and cultural trends and requirements for nursing homes and how they affect social workers New chapter on Adverse Childhood Experiences addressing how knowledge of childhood trauma can contribute to a caregiver’s understanding and techniques Updated chapter on disaster to include pandemics, natural disasters, and violence in the workplace New workforce safety tips for pandemics Expanded chapter on abuse, neglect, and mistreatment Vignettes included to clarify and illuminate information Updated list of online resources Revised appendix of standardized forms Key Features: Describes the full range of skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this varied and multidisciplinary role Includes multiple vignettes to illustrate information Provides weblinks to additional resources Designed to be practical and reader friendly Presented in a question-and-answer format to clarify content Offers review questions at the end of each section