Low dependency residents in private nursing homes in Glasgow.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate why nursing home care had been recommended for elderly people who were assessed subsequently as being of low dependency.


METHODS
Examination of community care assessment documentation for low dependency residents to assess reasons for recommending nursing home care; comparison of these with data from a subsequent SCRUGs (Scottish Care Resource Utilisation Groups) assessment.


METHODS
Three hundred and four residents within eight private nursing homes in Glasgow.


RESULTS
Twenty six percent of the residents were described as being of low dependency. Of these, 44% had dementia and 6% personal care needs alone; 29% had medical problems which required nursing input, but not necessarily to a level requiring nursing home care. Information in the community care assessment often described a higher level of need than that identified subsequently. From the information given in the medical component of the community care assessment it was often unclear why the decision to recommend nursing home care was made.


CONCLUSIONS
Admission to nursing homes may be encouraged by over-emphasiZing care requirements, by placing emphasis on safety rather than independence and by inadequate recording of information. Elderly people who cannot remain at home need improved assessment procedures, better understanding of their needs and a wider range of accommodation options.
Penrice
G M
GM
Greater Glasgow Health Board, Dalian House, 350 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.
Simpson
L
L
de Caestecker
L
L
Brown
G
G
Gillies
S
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000145:classification*; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine; D014505:Urban Population; D014600:Utilization Review