Statewide survey to compare services provided for residents with dementia in special care units and non-special-care units

Abstract

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.