[The admission to Nursing Homes and Home care services of elderly patients: analysis of the trend from 2008 to 2011 in a North Italian district].
BACKGROUND
The effects of the economic crisis impact on several aspects, included the use of health and social services.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effects of the economic recession on the request of in-home and long run social-health services.


METHODS
Retrospective research. The databases of a In-home Nursing Service, the Social Services and the Welfare area of a Social-Health Local Service in North of Italy have been consulted, with reference to the period between 31st December 2008 to 31st December 2011.


RESULTS
From 2008 to 2011 the users supported by the In-Home Nursing Service increased by 30.3% while a decrease in the waiting lists for public and private nursing homes was observed. The users of In-Home Assistance Service decreased by 11%, as well as recipients of In-Home Meal Service (33%). Since 2008, the number of regional economic allowance beneficiaries dramatically increased; these allowances are dispensed as a support to In-Home Nursing Service and to social frailty.


CONCLUSIONS
Profound changes of the offer and use of long term care services is evident. The endurance of this trend could impair the In-Home Nursing Services ability to answer to health needs of citizens. Health care professionals should strengthen the educational interventions to improve the level of patients'self care.
Loretta
L
Caporale
Monika
M
Czaplejewicz
Bruna
B
Odasmini
D000368:Aged; D057172:Economic Recession; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors