Study: Many With Alzheimer's Receive Inadequate Care at Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities

Many people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are not being cared for adequately in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to a study funded by the Alzheimer's Association.

In a multi-state study, University of North Carolina researchers found that:

• 54.1 percent of residents had low food intake and 51.3 percent of residents had low fluid intake during an observed meal.
  
• 40 percent of residents with recognized pain received no pain medication and nearly one-third were not receiving ongoing professional care.
  
• 24 percent of assisted living residents and 27 percent of nursing home residents were experiencing depression, and of those currently depressed only 28 percent were receiving professional treatment.
  
• Antidepressant drugs were being used by only 52 percent of the currently depressed residents and by 34 percent of residents not currently depressed.

"Our study found that staff pay close attention to assessing and treating those in need, but that care does not typically eliminate all problems," said lead researcher Sheryl Zimmerman, an associate professor of social work at the University of North Carolina. "This holds true for behavioral problems, depression, pain, food and fluid intake, mobility and social inactivity."

According to the Alzheimer's Association, assisted living centers and nursing homes have very large and increasing numbers of Alzheimer's and dementia patients in their facilities.

"Often these are highly frail people who need significant levels of care and attention. Our research shows that, by and large, this is not happening, which raises grave concerns," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO, Alzheimer’s Association.

The Alzheimer's Association plans to respond to these findings by:

• Working with the long-term care industry to create and implement an updated set of guidelines for providers about quality dementia care.
• Developing tools that assist consumers in decision making and educating them about options in their local community so they can make good, informed decisions about care for their loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
• Advocating for better care and appropriate long-term care regulations at the state and federal levels, including adequate training for direct care staff, especially nurse aides.

Other sources: Alzheimer's Association