title: International comparison of long-term care resident dependency across four countries (1998-2009): a descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe an international comparison of dependency of long-term care residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  All Auckland aged care residents were surveyed in 1998 and 2008 using the 'Long-Term Care in Auckland' instrument. A large provider of residential aged care, Bupa-UK, performed a similar but separate functional survey in 2003, again in 2006 (including UK Residential Nursing Home Association facilities), and in 2009 which included Bupa facilities in Spain, New Zealand and Australia. The survey questionnaires were reconciled and functional impairment rates compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of almost 90,000 residents, prevalence of dependent mobility ranged from 27 to 47%; chronic confusion, 46 to 75%; and double incontinence, 29 to 49%. Continence trends over time were mixed, chronic confusion increased, and challenging behaviour decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall functional dependency for residents is high and comparable internationally. Available trends over time indicate increasing resident dependency signifying care required for this population is considerable and possibly increasing.
authors.affiliation: Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. michal.boyd@waitematadhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Joanna B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Broad
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Connolly
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain