[The care requirements of residents in Danish nursing homes].
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of elderly remain in their own homes longer. The purpose of this study was to assess the care requirements of elderly in nursing homes.


METHODS
A total of 441 nursing home residents from 11 Danish nursing homes were assessed by means of Minimum Data Set (MDS). The results from one nursing home were compared with an equal assessment performed in 1992-1993.


RESULTS
Up to two thirds of the residents had decreased cognitive functions and up to 50% were totally dependent with regard to physical functions. Approximately 50% received antidepressants or analgesics every day. The comparison showed an increase in the prevalence of residents with impaired physical and cognitive performance and an increased use of different medications.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that elderly people in nursing homes today require more care than a decade ago. This change has consequences for staff and health care resources.
Beck
Anne Marie
AM
Fødevareinstituttet ved Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Syddansk Universitet, Institut for Epidemiologi, Benediktehjemmet, Valby. ambe@food.dtu.dk
Damkjaer
Karin
K
El Kholy
Kiddy
K
Schroll
Marianne
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data