title: Moving to and dying in a nursing home depends not only on health - an analysis of socio-demographic determinants of place of death in Switzerland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In developed countries generally about 7 out of 10 deaths occur in institutions such as acute care hospitals or nursing homes. However, less is known about the influence of non-medical determinants of place of death. This study examines the influence of socio-demographic and regional factors on place of death in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  We linked individual data from hospitals and nursing homes with census and mortality records of the Swiss general population. We differentiated between those who died in a hospital after a length of stay ≤2 days or ≥3 days, those who died in nursing homes, and those who died at home. In gender-specific multinomial logistic regression models we analysed N = 85,129 individuals, born before 1942 (i.e., ≥65 years old) and deceased in 2007 or 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost 70% of all men and 80% of all women died in a hospital or nursing home. Regional density of nursing home beds, being single, divorced or widowed, or living in a single-person household were predictive of death in an institution, especially among women. Conversely, homeownership, high educational level and having children were associated with dying at home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Place of death substantially depends on socio-demographic determinants such as household characteristics and living conditions as well as on regional factors. Individuals with a lower socio-economic position, living alone or having no children are more prone to die in a nursing home. Health policy should empower these vulnerable groups to choose their place of death in accordance to needs and wishes.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hedinger
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ueli
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zellweger
authors.affiliation: District Hospital Freiamt Muri, Muri, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bopp
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology