Transitions to and from long-term care facilities and length of completed stay: Reuse of population-based survey data.
OBJECTIVE
This article estimates length of completed stay and resident transitions for RAC residents over 12 months in Auckland.


METHODS
Data from a census-type survey of nursing home residents (n = 6816) were linked with national mortality data. Transitions described include entry to residential aged care (RAC), movement between RAC facilities and deaths.


RESULTS
When reweighted for missing data and adjusted for length bias, an estimated 9676 residents (95% CI 8368-10 985) used care over a 12-month period. Half of new residents entered RAC via an acute hospital. Median survival was 2.0 years; 17% died within 3 months, and 23% survived over 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional survey data, when appropriately adjusted for length-biased sampling, enable estimates of period prevalence and transition probabilities that are useful for simulation studies. Given population ageing and the costs of ongoing care, these results can inform policy and planning for long-term care needs of older people.
Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Joanna B
JB
Broad
Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Thomas
T
Lumley
Health Systems, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Toni
T
Ashton
COMPASS Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Peter B
PB
Davis
Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Michal
M
Boyd
Freemasons' Department of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Martin J
MJ
Connolly
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
bias (epidemiology); health services for the aged; health services needs and demand; length of stay; long-term care