To protect the consumer, consistency is needed in what one can expect when a long-term care facility (LTCF) advertises having an Alzheimer's special care unit (SCU). Arkansas recently passed disclosure legislation, which has led to the development of criteria for licensure of SCUs. This study compared the extent to which Arkansas LTCFs, with and without SCUs, met these criteria. We conducted a statewide survey of 238 LTCFs prior to the enforcement of these regulations and will conduct the same survey following their enforcement. Of the 147 (62 percent) facilities responding, 24 (16 percent) had a SCU. None of the LTCFs with SCUs met all the state criteria. The number and quality of services provided in SCUs and non-SCUs were similar.
Alzheimer's Association : Issue Kit—Alzheimer Special Care Units. Alzheimer's Association: State Policy Clearinghouse, 2000.
2.
Gerdner LA , Buckwalter KC: Review of state policies regarding special care units: Implications for family consumers and health care professionals. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 1996; 11(2): 16-27.
3.
Alzheimer's Association : Alzheimer's Special Care in Nursing Homes: Is it Really Special?Washington, DC: Alzheimer's Association, 1994.
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Alzheimer's Association : Guidelines for Dignity. Chicago: Alzheimer's Association, 1992.
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Alzheimer's Association : Key Elements of Dementia Care. Chicago: Alzheimer's Association, 1997.
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Van Haitsma K , Lawton MP, Kleban MH: Does segregation help or hinder? Examining the role of heterogeneity in behavioral and emotional aspects of quality of life for persons with cognitive impairment in the nursing home. Research & Practice in Alzheimer's Disease. 2000; 4: 163-177.
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Teresi, JA , Holmes D, Ory, MG: The therapeutic design of environments for people with dementia: Further reflections and recent findings from the National Institute on Aging collaborative studies of dementia special care units. The Gerontologist. 2000; 40(4): 417-421.
