Though America's elderly population is mushrooming, nursing home roles are falling. The number of U.S. residents aged 75 and older living in homes fell to 7.5 percent in 2006, compared with 8.1 percent in 2000 and 10.2 percent in 1990. Why are nursing home populations trending downward? In part, it's because some of the more affluent seniors are going to assisted living situations. Others are staying at home either by preference or because they can't afford the $67,000 to $100,000 annual tab. All told, it looks like communities are going have to develop some nursing home alternatives, observers say. Article