Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 11, No. 6; 2019 ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 118 Jordanian Nursing Homes: Admission Policy Analysis Audai A. Hayajneh 1 , Luba Louise Ivanov 2 & Mohammad Rababa 3 1 PhD, RN, CPT, Assistant Professor, Adult Health Nursing Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan 2 PhD, RN, FAAN, Fulbright Scholar, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Greensboro, NC, USA 3 PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Adult Health Nursing Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology- Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan Correspondence: Audai A. Hayajneh, PhD, RN, CPT, Assistant professor, Adult Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O.Box (3030), Irbid 22110, Jordan. Received: April 6, 2019 Accepted: May 3, 2019 Online Published: May 10, 2019 doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n6p118 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v11n6p118 Abstract Description of Problem Situation: Although the elderly have many physical, mental, and psychosocial needs, nursing homes are still a new emergent concept in Jordan. Moreover, the elderly who have access to nursing homes, are often not admitted, based on specific criteria, nor have access to governmental funds. The elderly that are admitted to nursing homes are admitted for a myriad of reasons, such as families’ desires, referrals from the ministry of social welfare due to socioeconomic issues, health issues (i.e. disability), and absence of caregivers (Al-Qudah, 2011). What is lacking in Jordan, is a well-defined admission and screening tool that clearly defines eligibility for nursing home admission Policy Alternative: The policy alternative is leaving Jordanian elderly with special needs in their homes without receiving appropriate care predisposing the elderly to a higher risk of health complications. North Carolina has been chosen as an example of a state that implements a screening tool for admission. Recommendations: The Ministry of Social Development might tailor the NC Medicaid forms (Level I and Katz and MoCA, and Level II of the NC Medicaid screening tool) as an admission screening policy that could be successful in identifying the eligible older adults to admit to nursing homes and receive designated aids from the Jordanian governmental organizations. Keywords: Jordanian, nursing homes, admission policy, analysis 1. Background and Description of the Problem Merriam-Webster dictionary (2015) defines a nursing home as “a place where people who are old or who are unable to take care of themselves can live and be taken care of” (Para 1). In other words, it is a facility for housing elderly who are not able to reside independently at their homes and not sick enough to seek hospital care (Khader, 2011). Nursing homes offer qualified geriatric services, including food, drink, clothing, health services, and recreational and social activities (Al-Qudah, 2011). The Ministry of Health in Jordan predicts that by 2020, the percentage of elderly aged 65 years and older to be 7.6 % of the total general population (Mohammad, Kassim, & Yasir, 2013). Along with the growth in the elderly population, social changes germane to Jordanian culture have increased in the last few decades. In particular, the shift from extended families to nuclear ones. This shift predisposes the elderly to care for themselves which includes medical, social, and financial care. As a result for many elderly, nursing homes become the only refuge (NCFA, 2008). The Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) regulates the nursing homes and elderly day clubs in Jordan. There are nine nursing homes and six elderly day clubs, divided into two sectors which are public and private (MOSD, n.d.). The MOSD grants have been used for building new nursing homes and oversee the homes through regulations, supervision of progress, and detection of any violation of nursing homes residents’ rights. However, Jordanian nursing homes do not have a national standardized admission policy. Jordanian nursing homes are divided into voluntarily (Charity) and private nursing homes. According to what is published on the website of Center for Medicare Advocacy, For-Profit and Non-Profit nursing homes are not similar in terms of quality of care,