title: Mortality in the elderly during respite hospital care.
abstract: This study examined the mortality in the elderly during 243 respite hospital admissions. Sixty-four dependent elderly patients entered a regular respite care scheme and were admitted to hospital for a period of 4 weeks out of every 12 weeks. The mortality rate in hospital was one death per 976 days, in comparison to one death per 1296 days at home. This small increase in mortality should not deprive patients and their carers from access to respite care.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Beringer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D009660:Northern Ireland; D012144:Respite Care