Number of mentally ill nursing home patients on the rise

A disturbing report by the Associated Press is calling attention to a little known issue facing nursing homes across the country.  The number of mentally ill residents is rising dramatically, posing a challenge for staff and potentially endangering other residents.

It appears that over the last few years families unsure of what to do with their mentally ill relatives have turned to nursing homes as a solution.  These patients often aren’t as old as the traditional inhabitants of a nursing home, and their youth, strength, and mental instability are potential dangers for frail older residents.

Mentally ill patients often suffer from schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder, all illnesses that can cause bouts of aggression or rage that can injure or kill those around them.  There are no official statistics, but the AP found several tragic cases involving murder or rape of elderly nursing home residents by mentally ill patients.

There are 41 percent more young and middle-aged adults with serious mental illness living in U.S. nursing homes now than in 2002.  According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provided to the AP there were nearly 125,000 such patients in 2008.

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