Analysis of end-of-life care for elderly with dementia in group homes managed by different corporations

Abstract

Aim: The number of group homes for elderly people with dementia has been increasing since the introduction of public long-term care insurance in Japan. The aim of this report is to clarify the differences in the end-of-life policy and practices among group homes managed by medical corporations and those run by social welfare corporations. Methods: A questionnaire for end-of-life care policy and practices was mailed to 1,535 group homes managed by medical corporations and 2,022 group homes managed by social welfare corporations. The questions related to the general characteristics of group homes, availability of admission to hospital, whether a doctor visits regularly or not involvement in end-of-life care, experiences of previous end-of-life care, and provisions for anticipated end-of life care. Results: The response rates were 55.2% for medical corporations and 59.6% for public welfare corporations. Most group homes have one care unit More than 50% of medical corporation-managed and more than 30% of social welfare corporation- managed group homes were involved with end-of-life care. Previous experiences with end-of-life care experienced in both types of group homes were reported to be 38.0% and 30.1%, respectively. The results of end-of-life care were evaluated positively in both types of group home. Group homes managed by medical corporations which also managed hospitals and group homes managed by social welfare corporations with regular visits of doctors showed a high percentage of cooperation with and previous experience of end-of-life care. Conclusions: Cooperation between medical and care staffs in end-of-life care of the elderly with dementia in group homes is important. This report demonstrated that education about end-of-life care to the staffs of group home is necessary.