title: Functional disability in residents of Auckland rest homes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to measure the extent of disability in residents of Auckland rest homes and to document any differences between religious and welfare homes and commercial homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  analysis of a 36 item questionnaire on 2087 residents in 32 religious and welfare homes and 3126 residents in 191 commercial homes (98.7% response rate).
  
  
  RESULTS
  residents in commercial homes were significantly more disabled than those in religious and welfare homes: 24% compared with 12% were incontinent, 62% and 31% confused, and 78% and 49% respectively needed assistance with mobility and selfcare. Of special concern were 7% and 3% who were doubly incontinent, 7% and 2% confused to the point of disturbing other residents, and 4% and 2% who met the criteria for hospital care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  a significant number of residents were disabled and required help in important aspects of simple self care. Informed advice, variety, and choice in type of care are mandatory before entering a rest home. Homes must employ trained staff who can identify and minimise problems so as to ensure optimal quality of life for residents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Auckland School of Medicine.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Baskett
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonita
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Broad
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data