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Mortality in the elderly during respite hospital care
The Ulster Medical Journal
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Elderly patients in respite care showed a slightly higher mortality rate in the hospital compared to at home. However, this minimal increase should not prevent access to essential respite services for patients and their caregivers.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Dependent elderly individuals often require specialized care.
- Respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers and patients.
- Hospital admissions are a component of some respite care schemes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate mortality rates among elderly patients during hospital-based respite care.
- To compare in-hospital mortality with home-based mortality for dependent elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mortality data from 243 respite hospital admissions.
- Inclusion of 64 dependent elderly patients in a regular respite care program.
- Data collection over a 4-week in-hospital stay within a 12-week cycle.
Main Results:
- A mortality rate of one death per 976 days was observed during hospital respite admissions.
- A mortality rate of one death per 1296 days was recorded for patients at home.
- A marginal increase in mortality was noted for patients in hospital respite care.
Conclusions:
- The observed increase in mortality during hospital respite care is minimal.
- Respite hospital admissions should remain accessible to dependent elderly patients and their carers.
- The benefits of respite care likely outweigh the slight increase in mortality risk.