Improving nursing home practice: an international concern.

The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, in association with the World Health Organization, set up a task force in response to the urgent need to improve long-term care, and address the variations in standards of nursing home care worldwide. This task force was charged with identifying the main clinical, quality and research concerns and actions that would enhance the care provided in nursing homes. As a result, recommendations have been developed. The authors argue that nurses worldwide have a responsibility to support and implement the international nursing home development agenda.