FastFacts for Directors of Nursing: Resources for Nursing Home Professionals


 

Publication Date: December 2007

Publisher: California HealthCare Foundation

Author(s): Jose Alvear

Research Area: Health

Type: Brief

Abstract:

In the United States, dementia affects about 4.5 million people. As a result of the degenerative nature of the disease, many patients receive nursing home care. In fact, studies have shown that about 50 percent of nursing home residents have dementia disorder. Nursing home staff can help dementia patients sustain their high quality of life by providing residents relief from pain, monitoring proper food and fluid intake, and attending to appropriate social activities.