Allowing persons to leave the Medicare program and set up individual medical savings accounts would ultimately lead to a sicker, poorer Medicare population. The author goes on to recommend changes to the whole system of health care delivery, not just Medicare. The system is all interrelated and making changes to one segment without considering changing the whole system will not achieved the desired savings and will reduce the quality of care for the most vulnerable. Friedman, Susan, et al. After Relocation to a New Facility.
Falls are a common and serious problem for nursing home residents.
More than 50 percent of all residents fall each year and the fall rate in nursing homes is 1.5 falls per bed per year. Four percent of falls in nursing homes lead to fractures and 11 percent lead to serious injuries. The fear of falling can cause residents to become isolated and can lead to a reduced functional level. Monitoring events that can lead to falls is important in all long term care settings. Relocation from one nursing home to another may not be a common event, but it is one which warrants special planning to reduce the risk of falling in the new and unfamiliar environment.