Dependency levels of elderly people in institutional care in Canterbury

All elderly persons in long term or social relief institutional care in the Canterbury area were assessed using a rating scale which assessed self care, continence, orientation and social integration. There was no difference in dependency in residents in homes provided by religious and welfare organisations compared with residents in homes provided by the private sector. Organisations providing a comprehensive service with flats, residential and hospital sections had lower dependency residents in the residential care section than institutions that provide home care alone. Public hospital long stay patients were significantly more dependent than private sector long stay patients. Of all subjects in residential homes and long term hospitals in Canterbury 49.3% were essentially independent in the dimensions assessed. This study adds further data concerning patterns of dependency of elderly subjects in institutional care.