Have inappropriate and dangerous behaviors increased among nursing home residents?
Despite increases in the age and functional disability of nursing home residents, the proportion of nursing home residents who exhibited inappropriate and dangerous behaviors declined from 1987 to 1996. Such behaviors include being physically abusive, wandering, and disruptive behavior (e.g., disruptive sounds, inappropriate sexual behavior or disrobing in public, smearing or throwing food, or hoarding). The proportion of nursing home residents who were physically abusive decreased from 11.5% in 1987 to 9.1% in 1996. The proportion with disruptive behavior fell from 19.7% to 14.4% over the same time period. The proportion with wandering behavior declined from 11.4% to 9.3% See Technical Notes 2, 3, and 4. Return To Table Of Contents Nursing home residents Return To Table Of Contents Conclusions The data presented in this report suggest that: A large shift in the certification status of nursing homes from dual certification by Medicare and Medicaid corresponded with the implementation o
