NJ is sixth most expensive state for nursing home care, survey found

New Jersey’s elderly and disabled paid the sixth-highest amount in the nation for nursing home care last year, although the state ranked in the middle as far as availability and quality of service, a survey released today said.

Pressure ulcers — also known as bed sores — are also significant problem, occurring among 8.1 percent of residents, compared with the national median rate of 5.9 percent. New Jersey ranked second-worst in this area, according to the survey, sponsored by AARP as well as the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation, two organizations that promote home care.

In all, New Jersey ranked 26th because its problem areas were mitigated by nursing home practices and state policies that are working, according to the study, called the Long-Term Services and Supports Scorecard.

Among the other high points in the findings:
• The turnover rate of nursing home workers is the eighth lowest in the nation.
• Home-care costs are the sixth lowest.
• The percentage of long-term patients prescribed anti-psychotic medication is 16.1 percent, the nation’s fourth lowest.

"What we are finding in this report is it does matter where you live," said Evelyn Liebman, the associate director of AARP.

Addressing the problem of bed sores, Liebman said: "This should raise alarm bells for everyone. … It could be we don’t have enough certified nursing assistants."

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NJ is sixth most expensive state for nursing home care, survey found