Key Personnel:
Marion Becker, RN, Ph.D.
Timothy Boaz, Ph.D.
Airia Papadopoulos, MPH
Ross Andel, Ph.D.
A Study of Younger Medicaid Enrolled Nursing Home Residents with Mental Illness
Publication Date: 6/1/2008
Description:
The ability of nursing homes (NHs) to manage the physical and mental health needs of their residents is crucial to providing high-quality care. A key element is preventing the exacerbation of psychiatric conditions that may mask or worsen physical health conditions and trigger involuntary psychiatric, or Baker Act (BA), examinations and psychiatric hospitalizations. Because these events are particularly costly and disruptive for vulnerable NH residents, it is important to identify and control risk factors. The primary objectives of this study are to describe how Medicaid beneficiaries younger than 65 residing in Florida's nursing homes utilize health and human services, the costs associated with these services, the relationship between resident and facility characteristics, and the rate of BA examinations and psychiatric hospitalizations. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of care for NH residents with mental health needs, and thus enhance their quality of life (QOL).
