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The elderly mentally handicapped in hospital: a clinical study
Journal of Mental Deficiency Research
|June 1, 1987
Summary
This study examined 99 elderly hospital residents, finding most had moderate to mild handicaps and common geriatric issues like mobility loss and incontinence. Recommendations include integrating elderly mentally handicapped care within specialized services.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Long-stay hospitals house elderly individuals with diverse needs.
- Understanding the demographic and health profiles of this population is crucial for effective care planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the health status, functional level, and demographic features of elderly residents in long-stay hospitals.
- To inform recommendations for appropriate service provision and resettlement programs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 99 long-stay hospital residents aged 65 years and older.
- Assessment of functional status, common geriatric conditions, and psychiatric disorders.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of residents were functioning in the moderately to mildly handicapped range.
- Common issues included mobility problems, falls, cardiorespiratory disease, sensory decline, and incontinence, all increasing with age.
- One-fifth had psychiatric disorders, primarily psychoses and dementia.
Conclusions:
- Elderly mentally handicapped individuals may benefit from retirement provisions within mental handicap services.
- Those with significant geriatric problems are best managed within generic geriatric services.
- Evaluative studies are needed before widespread resettlement programs for the elderly mentally handicapped.