title: Do 'social relief' admissions have any effect on patients or their care-givers?
abstract: Dependent patients and their care-givers were studied before and 1 week after a social relief admission in order to assess the effects on physical and psychological problems. Data about care-givers stress and mental health were gathered, as well as patient data. Patients' self-care abilities improved slightly but care requirements remained constant. Care-giver stress levels did not change, but there was a highly significant improvement in their mental health. The results suggest that social relief admissions enabled care-givers to continue to look after very dependent people in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Caradoc-Davies
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012144:Respite Care; D012648:Self Care; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*