The number of elderly who are living longer is on the rise because of new methods of treatments, new medications and use of medical technology to improve their life span. On any given day, nursing homes, or as many are now called, "long-term care facilities", are caring for about one in twenty Americans over the age of 65. Almost half of all Americans turning 65 this year will be admitted into a nursing home at least once. It is projected that in 2020, 40 percent of Americans will die in nursing homes. As the numbers increase in utilization of nursing homes, there is increasing concern about cost, quality and access- concerns that need to get attention. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss what has been done in recent years and what can be done in the future to make long term care better for the elderly who are no longer able to care for themselves. We will also look at the impact of cost, quality and access of Medicare, Medicaid and new technology in nursing homes. We need to establish what nursing homes are, and how they operate. Nursing homes can vary by type of ownership, type of certification, the number of beds, and the region of the country. When and if a decision must be made about placing an elderly person in a nursing home, no matter what its title, care must be taken that it is a "skilled nursing facility- a government category for a Medicare-certified, state-licensed organization that must provide room and board as well as all the care that is needed by the resident. (Acute hospitals and specialized medical care are excepted)" (Davis 10).
Long term-care is very expensive and it often becomes a financial catastrophe for the elderly person and their family. The average cost of staying in nursing homes, depending on the level of care received, can run anywhere from $350 to $2000 a month.
A study indicates that 46% of 75-year-olds are bankrupt after 13 weeks of nursing home care"(Forrest 209). But, while cost...