“The true cost of obesity to SNFs,” by Joy Stephenson-Laws, McKnight’s LTC News

“It is now estimated that more than 40% of obese adults are between the ages of 65 and 74 and that almost 30% are over 75.  On average, more than 35% of adults over 60 are obese. At some point in their lives, many of these older obese adults will need rehabilitative, short-term or long-term care. It has been reported that at least a quarter of patients entering skilled nursing facilities are either moderately or severely obese. Given that obese adults are almost twice as likely to be admitted to a nursing home and that the incidence of obesity continues to be an issue, the number of obese adults needing skilled nursing care is likely to continue to increase as well. ”

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):

Obesity “weighs” on nursing homes’ profitability as well as patients’ access and quality. “Unlike hospital emergency rooms, rehabilitative, short-term and long-term skilled nursing facilities do not have to serve patients. Because of this, many refuse to admit patients who are above a certain weight or Body Mass Index (BMI).” Medicaid’s notoriously low reimbursement rates ensure discrimination against the obese will grow.

The true cost of obesity to SNFs

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