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Resource use on Alzheimer's special care units
The Gerontologist
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Alzheimer's Special Care Units (SCUs) use less staff time per resident overall. However, comparing costs requires careful selection of nursing home comparison groups for accurate Alzheimer's care assessments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Home Administration
Background:
- Alzheimer's Special Care Units (SCUs) are designed for dementia patients.
- Resource utilization in SCUs compared to general nursing home units requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare resource use between residents on SCUs and other nursing home units.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of SCUs in nursing home settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a multistate nursing home database for resident resource use comparison.
- Analyzed staff time and resource expenditure, adjusting for resident case mix.
Main Results:
- SCUs expended less staff time per resident compared to general units.
- Facilities with SCUs utilized more total staff time than those without.
- After case-mix adjustment, SCU residents consumed similar resources to non-SCU residents within the same facility.
Conclusions:
- SCUs are a viable option for nursing home residents with dementia.
- Accurate cost-effectiveness assessments necessitate appropriate comparison groups for SCUs.