[Outpatient Care of People with Dementia within Residential Communities in Germany--Care Potential and Cost]

Since the 1980s dementia residential communities (DRC) have been established as part of the health-care landscape and as an alternative to inpatient long-term nursing care. Information about (a) the residents (b) the care potential and (c) the cost of DRCs are still lacking.

A nation-wide postal questionnaire was sent to n=332 DRCs managed by n=151 organizations. The sample was based on an internet search with various combinations of search terms such as "outpatient" and "residential care communities". The questionnaire contained questions about the resident's social-demography, nursing care level and the utilization, financing and cost structures of DRCs.

In total 81 organizations with n=88 DRCs replied to the questionnaire. Overall n=794 persons were living in these communities, most of the residents were female (80%, n=522), and 67% of the residents were older than 80 years. The nursing care level was high, 27% of the DRC residents reached the highest stage. Only 5% of the DRCs capacity was vacant. 86% of the communities stated to be able to provide nursing care for the residents until the end of their life. Almost half (48%) of the residents received money from the social welfare. The total average amount of cost per place per month was 3,265.08€ (excluding costs of services related to health insurance).

DRCs are caring for residents with high nursing care levels. Costs of these communities vary to a large extent but are in addition comparable to inpatient long-term nursing care. Thus, interested persons should obtain information about cost, financing and care concepts. The low level of vacant capacity demonstrates the demand for DRCs in Germany. Studies with the objective to evaluate quality of care, care concepts and suitable clients for those communities are needed to develop this living concept.