NURSING HOME CARE IN THE UNITED 42-711 Supporting Paper No. 3 DOCTORS IN NURSING HOMES: THE PREPARED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LONG-TERM CARE OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING FEBRUARY 1975 Printed for the use of the Special Committee on Aging U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1975 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 80 cents Stock Number 052-070-02757-6 PREFACE Federal support of long-term care for the elderly has, within a decade, climbed from millions to billions of dollars. What is the Nation receiving for this money? This report explores that, and related questions. It concludes that public policy has failed to produce satisfactory institutional care-or alternatives-for chronically ill older Americans. Furthermore, this document-and other documents to follow-declare that today's entire population of the elderly, and their offspring, suffer severe emotional damage because of dread and despair associated with nursing home care in the United States today. This policy, or lack thereof, may not be solely responsible for producing such anxiety. Deep-rooted attitudes toward aging and death also play major roles. But the actions of the Congress and of States, as expressed through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, have in many ways intensified old problems and have created new ones. Efforts have been made to deal with the most severe of those problems. Laws have been passed; national commitments have been made; declarations of high purpose have been uttered at national conferences and by representatives of the nursing home industry. But for all of that, long-term care for older Americans stands today as the most troubled, and troublesome, component of our entire health care system. It is costly and growing costlier. It is increasing in numbers, already providing more beds than there are beds in general hospitals. And there is every reason to believe that many more beds will be needed because the population of old persons in this Nation continues to grow faster than any other age group. Nursing home care is associated with scandal and abuse, even though the best of its leaders have helped develop vitally needed new methods of care and concern for the elderly, and even though-day in and day out-underpaid, but compassionate, aides in many homes attempt to provide a touch of humanity and tender care to patients who, though mute or confused and helpless, nevertheless feel and appreciate kindness and skill. This industry, which has grown very rapidly in just a few decades— and most markedly since 1965, when Medicare and Medicaid were enacted-could now take one of three courses: It could continue to grow as it has in the past, spurred on by sheer need, but marred by scandal, negativism, and murkiness about its fundamental mission. It could be mandated to transform itself from a predominantly proprietary industry into a nonprofit system, or into one which takes on the attributes of a quasi-public utility. Or it could-with the informed help of Government and the general public-move to overcome present difficulties, to improve standards of performance, and to fit itself more successfully into a comprehensive health care system in which institutionalization is kept to essential minimums. Whatever course is taken, it is certain that the demand for improvement will become more and more insistent. Within the Congress, that demand has been clearly expressed in recent years. But often congressional enactments have been thwarted by reluctant administration, or simply have been ignored. Now, facing the prospect of early action upon a national health program for all age groups, the Congress must certainly consider long-term care a major part of the total package. Wisely used, the momentum for a total health care package could be used to insure better nursing home care. Within the administration, there has been drift and unresponsiveness to congressional mandate since 1965. There are signs, however, that rising costs and rising public concern have aroused certain members of the executive branch to see the need for long-term care reform more clearly than before. Their actions and initiatives are welcome, but it is essential that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare take far more effective, well-paced action than it has thus far. Everywhere, the demand for reform is intensifying. People know that a nursing home could be in everyone's future. They ask why placement in such a home should be the occasion for despair and desperation, when it should be simply a sensible accommodation to need. The Subcommittee on Long-Term Care of the Senate Special Committee on Aging continually has asked the same question. Care for older persons in need of long-term attention should be one of the most tender and effective services a society can offer to its people. It will be needed more and more as the number of elders increases and as the number of very old among them rises even faster. What is needed now? As already indicated, the forthcoming debate over a national health program will offer opportunity for building good long-term care into a comprehensive program for all Americans. But the issues related to the care of the chronically ill are far from simple. Tangled and sometimes obscure, technical questions related to such matters as reimbursement, establishment of standards, enforcement, and recordkeeping, often attract the attention of policymakers, to the exclusion of other questions, such as: Could nursing homes be avoided for some, if other services were available? What assurance is there that the right number of nursing homes are being built where they are most needed? What measures can Government take to encourage providers themselves to take action to improve the quality of nursing homè care? What can be done to encourage citizen action and patient advocacy at the local level? |