[Behavior problems at homes for the aged. An inventory of 6 homes for the aged and a comparison with various nursing...

An inventory of behavioural problems by means of the 'Beoordelingsschaal voor Oudere Patiënten' (BOP, Behaviour Rating Scale for Elderly Patients), was made in six residential homes. About half of the 673 residents made little social contact and showed depressive behaviour. Apathy and difficulties spending their time were found in 30% of the residents. Behaviour associated with cognitive dysfunctions was observed in 14%. Approximately 5% of the residents had very severe physical disabilities. Thus, in the residential homes we found a wide range of behavioural problems. These place high demands on the organisation and quality of the care. The BOP-scores of the subjects in the residential homes were compared with those sampled in the same period in a nursing home for patients suffering from physical disabilities (N = 152) and a psychogeriatric nursing home (N = 169). Highly significant differences between the inhabitants of the residential homes on the one hand and the nursing homes on the other, were found for the subscales dependency, social disturbance, physical disability, orientation/communication and apathy. Only depression-scores were the same in the three types of institutions. These results contradict the often-heard opinion that the problems of care and assistance in residential homes increasingly resemble those of nursing homes.