If there is no data indicating that mentally ill residents at nursing homes are more violent than other residents, it seems a bit irresponsible to report as though they are. Actively psychotic inpatients can, indeed, be violent at times and it is frustrating that so few places offer empirically supported treatments for the mentally ill, but meeting criteria for a mental illness does not indicate that an individual is likely to be violent.
In reality, if individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (it's even less clear why anyone with depression would be sent to a nursing home for treatment, so I won't address that diagnosis here) are sent to a nursing home, their medication is managed properly, and a token economy is installed, such residents are likely to be the least violent at the facility.
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Mike Anestis of FL 9:50PM March 23, 2009