title: [Health care needs and quality of life of elderly in home care in Reykjavik, 1997.].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is increasingly emphasized that the elderly should be supported to live at home as long as possible. The purpose of this study was to describe the health and conditions of people in home care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals who received home care in the Reykjavik area in autumn of 1997 were assessed with the Minimum Data Set-Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care, MDS-RAI HC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study evaluated 257 individuals at four primary care health centers. The mean age was 82.7 years, women were 78.6%, living alone were 62.5%, and they had received home care on average of 2.4 years. Almost all were independent in primary activities of daily living, ADL, but about half needed help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Impaired cognition was observed in 40% of individuals, depressive symptoms in 18%, daily pain was noted in 47% and 47% assessed their health as poor. Loneliness was expressed by 21%, 18% had not gone out doors in over 30 days and 27% were always alone during the day. The mean number of hours during two weeks was 3.5 hours in nursing care and 9.5 hours in home help. Thirty-four percent took 9 or more medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals in home care were independent in ADL but needed assistance with IADL. There are important quality of life issues that are of concern. Further research is needed in home care with particular emphasis on improvement of well being.
authors.affiliation: Landspitali University Hospital, Landakoti, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. palmivj@landspitali.is.
authors.forename: Pálmi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Jónsson
authors.forename: Hlíf
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guðmundsdóttir
authors.forename: Fanney
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Friðbjœrnsdóttir
authors.forename: Maríanna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haraldsdóttir
authors.forename: Thornórunn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olafsdóttir
authors.forename: Anna Birna
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jensdóttir
authors.forename: Ingibjœrg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hjaltadóttir
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Harðarson
authors.forename: Hrafn
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pálsson