Evaluative research is needed to determine the impact of special care units on residents, families, staff members, and nondemented nursing home residents. It is too soon for special regulations for special care units, but families and others need information about special care units to help them make decisions about placement of the person with dementia. Disclosure requirements are preferable to special regulations to protect patients and families from nursing homes that claim to provide special care but actually provide nothing special for their residents with dementia.
Other output or dissemination activity: No special regulations for special care units have been established by states since the release of the report. Disclosure requirements have been established in three states.