Long-term care for aging parents is one of the most difficult, expensive and frustrating issues facing American families today. Newly revised and updated, this handbook was prepared by the leading organization advocating better conditions and care for nursing home residents. Helps readers select and work with nursing homes, offering proven procedures developed by effective advocates nationwide. Includes many strategies for protecting patient rights to aid families in insuring quality care for loved ones.

As more people live longer, the need for quality long-term care for the elderly will increase dramatically. This volume examines the current system of nursing home regulations, and proposes an overhaul to better provide for those confined to such facilities. It determines the need for regulations, and concludes that the present regulatory system is inadequate, stating that what is needed is not more regulation, but better regulation. This long-anticipated study provides a wealth of useful background information, in-depth study, and discussion for nursing home administrators, students, and teachers in the health care field; professionals involved in caring for the elderly; and geriatric specialists.