title: Twenty-year trends in dependency in residential aged care in Auckland, New Zealand: a descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe changes in aged care residents' dependency over a 20-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  All residents in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2008 were assessed using the same 23-item functional ability survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residential aged care facilities in Auckland, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 1988 there were 7516 participants (99% response rate), 6972 in 1993 (85% response rate), 5056 in 1998 (65% response rate), and 6828 in 2008 (89% response rate). Data were weighted to accommodate variation in response.
  
  
  METHODS
  A composite dependency score with 5 ordinal levels was derived from a census-type survey reporting mobility, activities of daily living ability, continence, and cognitive function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of "apparently independent" residents decreased from 18% in 1988 to 9% in 1993, 5% in 1998, and 4% in 2008, whereas those "highly dependent" increased from 16% in 1988, to 18% in 1993, 19% in 1998, to 21% in 2008. All functional indicators demonstrated increased dependency over the 20-year period (P < .0001). However, between 1998 and 2008 there were significant increases in dependency for continence, mobility, self-care, and orientation, but no significant changes in memory and behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased dependency over 20 years directly affects care requirements for this population.
authors: Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. michal.boyd@waitematadhb.govt.nz
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Boyd
authors: Joanna B
authors: JB
authors: Broad
authors: Ngaire
authors: N
authors: Kerse
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Foster
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: von Randow
authors: Roy
authors: R
authors: Lay-Yee
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Chelimo
authors: Noeline
authors: N
authors: Whitehead
authors: Martin J
authors: MJ
authors: Connolly
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000639:trends; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000639:trends; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors