[Homes for the aged and nursing homes in North Rhine-Westphalia]

In the last hundred years demographic change has altered the age composition of the overall population. In particular there was a marked rise in the number of older people (65 years and over). In Germany the proportion of the total population aged 65 years and over increased from 4.6% in 1871 to 15.1% in 1977. The current demographic-geographical situation of the proportion of the aged, homes for the aged and nursing homes in the different districts of North Rhine-Westphalia is presented. Since 1979 there has been an increase of 17,122 in the number of beds available in nursing homes. In North Rhine-Westphalia a total of 49,536 beds in nursing homes were available on 1.9.84, i.e. 2.08 beds per 100 aged (65 years and over), while the intended index is 2.3 beds per 100 aged. The number of places in homes for old people was 58,236 on 1.9.84, i.e. 2.45 places per 100 aged. The intended index (2.80 places per 100 aged) is nearly reached, although the regional differences are considerable.