Do health and use of services differ in residents of sheltered accommodation? A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rates of mental health problems, disability and use of health and social services of older people living in sheltered accommodation with those of the rest of the community in the same age group.


METHODS
Door-to-door survey in randomly selected enumeration districts. The districts contained three sheltered accommodation complexes. Residents from these addresses were compared with the others.


METHODS
London Borough of Islington.


METHODS
700 men and women aged 65 or over.


METHODS
Short-CARE depression, dementia and activity scales; the Guy's/Age Concern anxiety scale; individual items detailing problems with mobility, vision and hearing; use of a number of health and social services.


RESULTS
The only difference in mental health variables on univariate analysis was a greater severity of cognitive impairment and dementia symptoms in sheltered accommodation. When demographic differences were taken into account, the association with cognitive impairment became statistically insignificant. There were significant associations between residence in sheltered accommodation and several of the disability variables. Increased use of health and social services by sheltered residents remained significant after disability and living alone were taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
The residents of sheltered accommodation were more disabled than the general elderly population but, in contrast to those in residential care, did not have a great excess of mental health problems. Indeed, the possibility was raised that sheltered accommodation may protect against depression in people who live alone.
St. Luke's Hospital, London, UK. MikeWalker@Compuserve.com
M
M
Walker
M
M
Orrell
M
M
Manela
G
G
Livingston
C
C
Katona
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*