Nursing home applications--reasons and possible interventions

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Singapore faces increasing demand for nursing home care due to its aging population.
• Nursing home admissions are driven by medical and social factors.
• The Care Liaison Service (CLS) of the Ministry of Health studied nursing home admission reasons and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary reasons for elderly nursing home applications in Singapore.
• To assess the feasibility of preventing nursing home admissions through early intervention.
• To understand the medical and social profiles of individuals seeking nursing home placement.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month case study involving 331 nursing home applications.
• Analysis of applicant demographics, mobility status, and prevalent medical conditions.
• Intervention was offered to 57 non-psychiatric patients whose caregivers faced challenges.

Main Results:

• Most applicants (84.6%) were aged 60 and above, with neurological, cardiac, orthopedic, and psychiatric conditions being common.
• Of 57 intervened patients, 49.1% required nursing home care, while 50.9% could potentially remain at home with community support.
• Only 6 patients accepted recommended community services, indicating low intervention success.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of at-risk elderly is crucial for preventing nursing home admissions.
• Enhanced support for caregivers is essential to prevent burnout.
• Development and promotion of community-based services are vital.
• Further research is needed to optimize preventative strategies.