Abstract
The Nursing Unit Rating Scale (NURS) was developed to compare dementia special care units (SCUs) in nursing facilities to their non-SCU counterparts across six environmental dimensions: (1) separation, (2) stability, (3) stimulation, (4) complexity, (5) control/tolerance, and (6) continuity. The NUJRS was tested in 390 units in 123 nursing facilities in Minnesota. Statistically significant differences were found on all measures except continuity. The NURS is a potentially useful tool for assessing policy and program features of SCUs.