Choice Review

Nursing homes will become increasingly necessary as the population lives ever longer, and the need for these facilities has resulted in seemingly labyrinthine regulations. Franklin, a nursing director in a long-term care facility, addresses various aspects of this topic for general readers. The book begins with a loose review of the structure and responsible parties in nursing homes. Following chapters discuss the roles of staff members, e.g., nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, and dietary specialists. The "customer" is not mentioned until halfway through the book, and then only in the context of family management and payment options. However, the regulatory processes in these institutions, a very important issue, receive ample mention. The author candidly assesses elder abuse and dealing with Alzheimer's patients, but she develops the former subject far more than the latter. Pairing chapters on rehabilitation and on death/dying respectfully acknowledges the terminal realities of nursing homes. The additional resources section is limited, listing only eight organization websites and no articles or books. While charts are clearly labeled and readable, photographs are so badly pixelated that the subjects are almost unrecognizable. This book may be useful for health care consumers and students considering careers in the long-term care profession. Summing Up: Recommended. With reservations. General readers and lower-division undergraduates. J. P. Bourgeois Nicholls State University