Providing long-term care for persons with AIDS. Results from a survey of nursing homes in the United States.

Abstract

In this pilot study, a random sample of 50 nursing homes located in each of the five U.S. cities with the highest AIDS incidence were surveyed (total N = 250) to determine: (1) the frequency of admission inquiries by, and actual admissions of PWAs, (2) the frequency of adoption of formal AIDS admission policies, (3) the industry's concerns regarding provision of care in traditional nursing homes, and (4) the industry's preferred way of delivering long-term care (LTC) to PWAs. The majority of the facilities cited ability to meet special care needs, the costs of this care, and inadequate reimbursement as important admission policy issues. The majority indicated a preference for either special care units for AIDS or AIDS-specific skilled nursing facilities as the most appropriate setting for the provision of LTC to persons living with AIDS. While almost half (48.2 percent) of the facilities had been approached, at least informally, about admitting a PWA, only 15.4 percent of the nursing homes had admitted a resident with AIDS.