Navigating Skilled Nursing Facilities

This chapter explores the landscape of skilled nursing facilities in the U.S., revealing their prevalence and the misconceptions surrounding long-term care. It addresses the emotional challenges older adults face when transitioning to these facilities and evaluates the ongoing quality issues highlighted in a 2022 report. The chapter also critically examines a pay-for-performance program aimed at reducing hospital readmissions, finding little impact on outcomes despite its ambitious goals.