[Care of chronically ill geriatric patients with the cooperation of relatives]

In the first stage of the project "assistance of relatives for the care of chronically ill people" in context of the National Research Programme No 8 (Economy and efficacy of the Swiss Health System) a representative random sample of elderly longterm patients was arranged in Basle and the situation regarding their relatives investigated. Altogether 473 relatives were contacted. Finally 343 interviews with next-of-kin were held and as many questionnaires filled out. The main aim of the questioning in the first part of the study was to know who would be able to participate in the care at the hospital on a part-time basis. Basing on the results, it may be presumed that about 30% of the relatives of chronically ill patients who have regular personal contact with them are ready and willing to participate actively in a co-operative model set-up of a nursing institution. In the second stage the way should be paved for the management of a pilot-station. During the research programme between 1983 and 1985, the model-idea should be examined for its practicability. Afterwards it can be judged if the basic idea of the project evidences a real progress or remains a social-medical utopia.