[Nursing needs among recipients of community health care].
BACKGROUND
We aimed at investigating whether disabled old people can get sufficient care in residential facilities for the elderly.


METHODS
All residents in our community's care facilities for the elderly in 2001 were registered. Those living in their own homes with a substantial need for care were also registered. Burden of care was assessed by six items measuring activities of daily life and two items measuring cognitive decline.


RESULTS
309 persons were registered; mean age was 84. Those living in residential care facilities staffed 24 hours a day represented the highest average burden of care, though many elderly living in their own homes also need a great deal of care. In our community, the number of nursing home beds set aside for short-term stays has decreased from 24 to 11 over a eight-year period. The burden of care has increased since 1992 in nursing homes as well as in other residential care units.


CONCLUSIONS
Group-dwelling unit staffed around the clock can be a good alternative to nursing homes for many demented patients. While a high number of such units have been built, the local authorities have found it increasingly difficult to provide a sufficient number of nursing home beds for short-term stays. Most changes observed can be related to the growing number of inhabitants above 80 years of age.
Waaler
Hans Michael
HM
Fosslia Bosenter for aldersdemente, Fossliveien 20 B, 7500 Stjørdal. hans.waaler@stjordal.kommune.no
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016352:Group Homes / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data