New stats on end-of-life care in nursing homes

Data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey (most recent available) sheds light on end-of-life (EOL) care in nursing homes. One in four residents began EOL care before being admitted to a nursing home. Nursing home residents receiving EOL care were older, more functionally and cognitively impaired, and more likely to have reported pain in the previous 7 days compared with nursing home residents not receiving EOL care. However, no differences in services and treatments received were observed depending on whether EOL care started on or prior to admission or after admission to the nursing home. For more info, see National Health Statistics Reports #9.