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Mental illness in nursing homes: variations across States
David C Grabowski1, Kelly A Aschbrenner, Zhanlian Feng
1Health Care Policy, at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. grabowski@hcp.med.harvard.edu
Nursing homes admit many individuals with mental illnesses, with significant state-level variations in admission rates. These patients are often younger and more likely to require long-term care, highlighting the need for tailored policies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health Policy
- Mental Health Services Research
Background:
- The placement of individuals with mental illnesses in nursing homes presents a significant policy challenge.
- Understanding admission patterns and long-term care needs is crucial for effective resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine state-level variations in nursing home admissions for individuals with mental illnesses.
- To compare the characteristics and long-term care trajectories of nursing home residents with and without mental illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2005 nursing home Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments.
- Comparison of admission rates and resident demographics across different states.
Main Results:
- Significant variation exists across states in the rates of mental illness among nursing home admissions.
- Newly admitted nursing home residents with mental illnesses were younger than those admitted for other conditions.
- Individuals with mental illnesses were more likely to become long-stay residents compared to other residents.
Conclusions:
- State-level factors, including mental health service availability and nursing home characteristics, appear to influence long-term nursing home use among individuals with mental illnesses.
- Findings suggest a need for state-specific policies to address the unique needs of this population within long-term care settings.
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