[An alternative to the hospitalization of the demented elderly: the nursing home]

The number of demented old people continues to increase. Their admission to a hospital is dangerous ("Syndrome de Glissement") and tolerated with difficulty by the nursing staff. The solution of home care is interesting but insufficient. The creation of collective homes for demented elderly seems to furnish an effective solution contributing to a decrease in hospital admissions and a better quality of life for these persons. The modalities of creation and functioning are considered and allows one to think that these establishments will appear in France and also, in the world.