Comparison of Characteristics of Nursing Homes and Other Residential Long-Term Care Settings for People With Dementia Executive Summary

Dementia is a group of neurological conditions that lead to gradual decline in mental function. It is the most common reason for entry into long-term care settings such as nursing homes (NHs) and residential care/assisted living (RC/AL).1 The majority of care for people with dementia is provided in the community by family members; however, increasing care needs in later stages of the illness often lead to placement in a long-term care setting. Because longterm care settings are highly varied, people with dementia and their families, who must make a decision regarding placement, would benefit from evidencebased guidance on what to choose from the available options.