If that is the case regarding the rest homes' policy on coffee, then I would be worried. Most decaf coffee is rendered that way by the use of formaldehyde in removing the caffeine. That's embalming fluid! Maybe the administrators of those places are sending a hidden message to the residents. LOL!

I've worked in nursing homes and they could have caffeinated coffee and tea and sodas if they wanted. They may not allow certain ones maybe to have it past 5 or something if they were having sleeping problems. My father was a major coffee drinker but as he got older his stomach couldn't tolerate it.Living is a health risk since no matter what you do you don't get out of here alive anyway. People either pay for their own insurance or they've paid into SS for their entire working life and I seriously doubt caffeine would bankrupt a company or a country for caring for elderly people during their last periods of life. If they're at odds with each other there's a host of other reasons that might lead to their less than docile behavior besides caffeine. Trust me....unless something happens that makes it so I can't tolerate Diet Coke......you will have one nasty old lady on your hands if some nimrod tells me I can't have it. It's not like giving it up is going to make me 20 years younger or guarentee I won't die from some other illness, so I say butt out and let people enjoy their final days.I've lived long enough and seen "health issues" change a dozen times over. There's not a whole lot they can say is a 100% cause of anything. I'm more concerned about what disease is hidden in my food now that cause serious illness and death. Who would have thought people would die from spinach? But they have. There's more chemicals and toxins in our systems that even "healthy" people have, simply from going outside or drinking water.....little late to start preaching at the elderly when they've made it this far. There dues have been paid....don't make it worse than it already is.Jails aren't the same as elderly people. Elderly people haven't committed a crime. If there are jails that don't serve it, it might be because it's a perk they don't deserve.

I hate that the government and States are dictating what one can eat and drink. The education is out there for people to make there own choices based on their health. My Mom is 82 and in great health except for high blood pressure and she drinks regular coffee all the time, 2 or 3 cups a day and it doesn't affect her health adversely. I think individuals should be able to make their own choices based on what their body tells them.

Terrific question.