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. 2009 Jul;60(7):965-71.
doi: 10.1176/ps.2009.60.7.965.

Trends in mental health admissions to nursing homes, 1999-2005

Catherine Anne Fullerton  1 , Thomas G McGuire, Zhanlian Feng, Vincent Mor, David C Grabowski
Affiliations

Trends in mental health admissions to nursing homes, 1999-2005

Catherine Anne Fullerton et al. Psychiatr Serv. 2009 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: The study examined 1999-2005 data on first-time nursing home admissions of individuals with mental illness, dementia, or both to identify trends and characteristics.

Methods: The Minimum Data Set was used to estimate the number and percentage of persons newly admitted to nursing homes who had mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or an anxiety disorder), dementia, or both from 1999 to 2005. Data from 2005 were used to compare demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions of the three groups and treatments received.

Results: The number of individuals admitted with mental illness increased from 168,721 in 1999 to 187,478 in 2005. The 2005 number is more than 50% higher than the number admitted with dementia only (118,290 in 2005). The increase was driven by growth in admissions of persons with depression--from 128,566 to 154,262 in 2005. Persons admitted with depression had higher rates of comorbid conditions than those admitted with dementia or with neither dementia nor mental illness. They also had high rates of antidepressant treatment and high rates of receipt of training in skills required to return to the community.

Conclusions: Current trends show that the proportion of nursing home admissions with mental illness, in particular depression, has overtaken the proportion with dementia. These changes may be related to increased recognition of depression, availability of alternatives to nursing homes for persons with dementia, and increased specialization among nursing homes in the care of postacute, rehabilitation residents. In light of these trends, it is critical to ensure that nursing homes have resources to adequately treat residents with mental illness to facilitate community reintegration.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Venn Diagram of the Prevalence of Dementia and Mental Illness in Nursing Homes among New Admissions, 2005
Figure 2A
Figure 2A
New admission trends for dementia, mental illness, or both, 1999–2005
Figure 2B
Figure 2B
New admission trends for dementia, mental illness, or both 1999–2004 in short-stay residents
Figure 2C
Figure 2C
New Admission trends for dementia, mental illness, or both 1999–2004 in long-stay residents
Figure 3
Figure 3
New admission trends for mental illness excluding dementia, 1999–2005
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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