Fewer Older Americans Use Nursing Homes, Study Reveals
By Dave
Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
November 27, 2006
WASHINGTON,
DC--The creation of community-based services, high profile court decisions, and
state and federal policy shifts have been largely responsible for a significant
decline in the actual number of seniors in U.S. nursing homes, a new study is
showing.
The report, released November 21 by the Lewin Group, a health care and
human services consulting firm, noted the number of nursing home residents over
age 64 dropped eight percent -- from 1.44 million to 1.32 million -- between
1999 to 2004.
The report credited the U.S. Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision,
which found that unnecessarily institutionalizing people with disabilities
violates their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It also cited changes in Medicaid programs that are designed to divert
money for long-term care toward in-home caregivers and assisted living
alternatives, while having skilled nursing facilities handle more intensive
rehabilitation. In fact, the average length of stay at nursing homes dropped
sharply during the same period.
"The implications for the future are significant," said the study's
author, Lisa Alecxih. "While future disability rates and income levels among
older adults are difficult to forecast, the baby boomers could be expected to
have preferences similar of those of the current group of older adults. That
is, they would probably seek to avoid nursing home care if possible."
Related:
"Press release: New Long Term Care Study Shows Dramatic
Shift Away From Nursing Homes for 'Oldest Old'" (The Lewin Group)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1127b.htm
"Nursing
Home Use by "Oldest Old" Sharply Declines" (The Lewin Group)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1127c.htm
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Reproduced here under special arrangement
with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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