Characteristics of older patients in an urban teaching practice

This study describes demographic, residential, health, and utilization characteristics of patients over 70 years of age followed in a hospital-based teaching group practice. Most of the patients were able to maintain an independent or semi-independent life, living either alone or with relatives. The use of formal support services, such as the visiting nurse association and social services, was common in all age groups. While 25 percent of the patients younger than 80 years used some formal support service, the frequency increased dramatically with age, doubling to 50 percent for those in their 80s and reaching 65 percent among those 90 or older. The training of physicians should include opportunities to manage for an extended period of time a cohort of elderly, independent, ambulatory patients. A hospital-based group-teaching practice provides a setting where residents have the opportunity to develop these skills with the assistance of experienced practitioners, nurses, and social workers.