Co-morbidity and treatment needs among nursing home residents receiving alcohol and drug treatment

Abstract

This study profiles nursing home residents receiving alcohol and drug treatment, describing their sociodemographic, health, and treatment characteristics. We analyzed 3,662 admission assessments in the Minimum Data Set for people receiving alcohol/drug treatment from June, 1998 through September, 2000. These residents were likely to be male and under age 50. More than half were White and 29 percent were African American. Typically, these residents were not physically or cognitively impaired. However, more than 39 percent had unstable health patterns and almost 21 percent had HIV disease. Thirty-eight percent had a history of mental health conditions, with 24 percent having depression and almost 18 percent having schizophrenia. At least 75 percent received no psychological therapy in the previous 7 days and a majority did not receive antipsychotic, antianxiety, or antidepressant medications. These analyses indicate that most recently admitted residents receiving alcohol/drug treatment did not receive mental health therapy in nursing homes.