Placement of dementia sufferers in residential and nursing home care

Abstract

Background: few UK studies have examined the associations of residential or nursing home placement in dementia sufferers. Method: 124 patients with mild to moderate dementia (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, revised) and in contact with clinical services were evaluated with a detailed standardized assessment and followed-up at monthly intervals for 1 year. Results: 25 (21.6%) of the 116 patients living at home were admitted to residential or nursing home care during the follow-up year. Institutional placement was associated with greater severity of cognitive impairment, severity of parkinsonism and the failure of carers to adopt active coping strategies. Conclusion: an intervention to improve coping skills in carers may decrease the rates of residential and nursing home placement.