[For better or worse. Couples in the psychogeriatric nursing home]

Since 1968 a special wing for married elderly couples has been in operation at the psychogeriatric nursing home "Heremalerhof" at Harmelen (The Netherlands). At least one of the two partners admitted suffered from dementia in old age and needed more nursing-care than could be offered at home or in a home for the aged. The information of this paper spans the admission period of 26 couples in this institution. Of this group, there was 8 couples where both partners were considered for immediate admission into a psychogeriatric nursing-home because of dementia. At the end of the period there were 6 couples more in which both partners suffered from dementia. Therefore only 12 partners returned to normal life in society after the admission period. Of the 12 partners who returned to normal life in society, 10 were available for an interview. At that time, 6 partners still adhered to their previously taken decision. There is certainly a need for an institution for couples, of which one of the partners needs much care because of dementia in old age. It could function best as an independent institution, yet closely connected with a psychogeriatric nursing-home.