Nursing Home - Lack of Medical Care

Donald Caminiti

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Elderly nursing home residents receive relatively few cancer care services, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Few studies have examined cancer treatment and care among elderly patients residing in nursing homes. Yet, as the population ages, more people will move into nursing homes, many of whom will later be diagnosed with cancer. Cancer risk increases as people age.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226004314.htm

Congress has introduced the "Nursing Home Transparency and Quality of Care Improvement Act of 2008." The bill increases the transparency of nursing home ownership, ensures that residents and their families have information about the quality of care at these facilities, and strengthens enforcement of nursing home compliance with quality of care standards.

The Nursing Home Act enables nursing home residents and government regulators to better know who actually owns the nursing home and who controls the decision-making that impacts the quality of care provided. In addition, the bill improves the reporting of information on staffing levels and direct patient care expenditures.