[Geriatric and gerontopsychiatric clinical institutions: results of an empirical study]

A research project was carried out to investigate 138 geriatric and geropsychiatric institutions. In the first instance the object of the study was a comprehensive survey of all clinical institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany specializing in the treatment of geriatric and geropsychiatric patients. The study was carried out since no comparable survey was available. A further aim was the analysis of the data obtained by questionnaire concerning different characteristic of the clinical institutions specializing in the care of the aged. This article presents a summary of the research methods and the most important results of the characteristics surveyed. The results presented inable us to make statements about the buildings and equipment of the institutions surveyed, about those groups of patients treated, the number and qualifications of staff, methods of treatment and about costs. Further information is given about supporting institutions and about planned future alterations.