Nursing home residents often experience stressful and avoidable transfers to hospitals, costing the U.S. healthcare system billions annually. Research from the University of Missouri shows that residents with dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease, are more likely to have these transfers due to a mismatch between care provided and personal preferences. Advanced care planning and early conversations about residents’ desires and values can help prevent these potentially traumatic experiences. Nursing home staff support, training, and resources are crucial in providing the necessary care for residents with cognitive impairments. Further research is needed to address pain management in residents with dementia to improve their quality of life.
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Exploring avoidable nursing home-to-hospital transfers for dementia patients
