Special Care Units in Pennsylvania nursing homes

Abstract

A 1993 probability sample of all Pennsylvania nursing homes with licensed intermediate and skilled beds finds that 19 percent, by administrator report, are operating a Special Care Unit (SCU) for residents with dementia. Pennsylvania units contain an average of 33 beds, a permanently assigned staff door devices to prevent wandering, and utilize separate dining, congregate and sleeping areas. SCUs in Pennsylvania are more often found in larger homes and in the nonprofit sector. The age, sex, tenure and other measured characteristics of administrators are not related to the presence or absence of such units. Homes with SCUs are more likely to provide inservice training on dementia care and may place greater emphasis on special therapeutic activities. Ninety percent of the administrators with SCUs believe they provide better dementia care than is possible in integrated units.