There are approximately 34,000 licensed residential facilities with more than 600,000 beds. Unlicensed beds account for 27 percent of total beds in 12 percent of homes. Regulatory efforts take place at the state level and licensing procedures and inspections vary by state. Current philosophies to allow aging in place mean that as the current resident population of a facility ages, they will become more disabled and have a higher acuity level. Residents will either need more medical supervision in their current facility or will need to be transferred to a facility that can meet their needs.
Medical directors have an opportunity to be involved with either process.
The role of medical directors in residential facilities can be expected to evolve in a similar fashion to the evolution of the relationship between medical directors and skilled nursing facilities. Martin, Deborah B., et al. The objective of this evaluation was to investigate the relationship of noncognitive disturbances such as depression, agitation, and psychosis to cognitive symptoms. Participants received a complete evaluation at baseline and were re-evaluated every six months. For those with mild to moderately severe AD, these noncognitive symptoms tended to be episodic.