In the Netherlands, France, Spain, and parts of the United States a new housing option has arrived for students who attend college. Rather than living in university housing students now have the option to live in nursing homes free of rent charge. The only requirement is that students who live in nursing homes have to spend 30 hours each month with the elderly patients.

Three nursing home staff members were arrested after their abusive actions were captured on video. The 92-year-old patient who was being abused and harassed became hostile with his family after entering and residing in a nursing home. The family grew concerned after the man repeatedly accused the nursing staff of abusing him.

A former nursing home employee was fired for providing false medical information. The nurse failed to give patients some of their necessary medications. Upon realization of his error, he called another nurse at the facility to throw the medications away.

Music can have a positive or negative impact within nursing homes. Playing music that nursing home residents would enjoy listening to should be the most played, but unfortunately it is not. While taking care of residents, some nurses turn the radio to what they would like to hear, without thinking of the effect on a patient.

The cost of being a resident in a nursing home is extremely expensive and often is not affordable to the average American. With a median of $91,000 per year, and a monthly cost of $14,000 per month, there seems to be a growing list of options for the elderly that provide more affordable care than nursing homes. In one scenario, an elderly woman’s daughter moved her across the United States, because it was clear the elderly woman needed help as she grew older.

There is a rising debate on whether it is necessary to staff registered nurses, or RN’s, in nursing facilities 24 /7, or not. One woman who serves as a registered nurse has spoken out and strongly advocates  the need for RN’s to be working in nursing homes around the clock. Supporters of nursing homes staffing RN’s 24/7 believe that since RN’s are universally trained and specialize in many things from medications to overseeing staff, it is only for the good of the nursing home patients that…