AARP Public Policy Institute Report Finds Oklahoma Nursing Facilities Rank Among Worst in the Nation in Several Quality Indicators of Care

A new report by AARP’s Public Policy Institute finds Oklahoma ranks among the worst in the nation in several key indicators of quality of care at our state’s nursing facilities. The report, Across the States 2018: Profiles of Long-term Services and Supports, is a compilation of data on long-term care services and supports in each state and combines data from original analysis and a large number of other relevant studies and sources.

According to the report, Oklahoma has the second highest rate of high-risk residents with pressure sores, which can lead to dangerous infections, while ranking 42 ^nd in the amount of direct care nursing per resident. Other key findings of the report:

• Oklahoma ranks highest in the nation in the use of antipsychotic medications in patients without a psychiatric diagnosis.

• Oklahoma ranks lowest in the amount of care provided by registered nurses per resident.

• Oklahoma ranks fourth in the percentage of long-stay residents with a hospital admission.

• Oklahoma ranks second in the nation for nursing facility residents with low care needs—patients that could be better served with alternative and less costly services.

 

“Oklahoma’s 85 and over population is expected to increase by 38 percent by 2030, adding an additional 26,000 Oklahomans to the population of seniors who may need long-term care, “ said Joe Ann Vermillion, AARP Oklahoma state president. “As the report indicates, our nursing home industry is failing to provide basic levels of care. Without immediate reforms, our state’s most frail and vulnerable will continue to fall victim to this crisis. At the same time we are learning of these alarming statics about quality of care, the report also finds that Oklahoma is trailing much of the nation in using often less costly home-based alternatives where many patients prefer to be cared for. This report drives home the fact that we must take a systematic approach to reforming our system for long-term services and supports.”

In addition to key indicators of quality of care, the report also contains several demographic data points and analyses of changes in the population of older Americans. The full version of Across the States, Profiles of Long-term Services and Supports can be found at www.aarp.org/acrossthestates and includes a four-page reference guide for each state.

 

If you would like to get involved or have a story to share, please contact Chad Mullen at cmullen@aarp.org or 405-715-4470.