OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in aged care residents' dependency over a 20-year period. DESIGN: All residents in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2008 were assessed using the same 23-item functional ability survey. SETTING: Residential aged care facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: In 1988 there were 7516 participants (99% response rate), 6972 in 1993 (85% response rate), 5056 in 1998 (65% response rate), and 6828 in 2008 (89% response rate). Data were weighted to accommodate variation in response. MEASUREMENTS: A composite dependency score with 5 ordinal levels was derived from a census-type survey reporting mobility, activities of daily living ability, continence, and cognitive function. RESULTS: The proportion of "apparently independent" residents decreased from 18% in 1988 to 9% in 1993, 5% in 1998, and 4% in 2008, whereas those "highly dependent" increased from 16% in 1988, to 18% in 1993, 19% in 1998, to 21% in 2008. All functional indicators demonstrated increased dependency over the 20-year period (P < .0001). However, between 1998 and 2008 there were significant increases in dependency for continence, mobility, self-care, and orientation, but no significant changes in memory and behavior. CONCLUSION: The increased dependency over 20 years directly affects care requirements for this population.
OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in aged care residents' dependency over a 20-year period. DESIGN: All residents in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2008 were assessed using the same 23-item functional ability survey. SETTING: Residential aged care facilities in Auckland, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: In 1988 there were 7516 participants (99% response rate), 6972 in 1993 (85% response rate), 5056 in 1998 (65% response rate), and 6828 in 2008 (89% response rate). Data were weighted to accommodate variation in response. MEASUREMENTS: A composite dependency score with 5 ordinal levels was derived from a census-type survey reporting mobility, activities of daily living ability, continence, and cognitive function. RESULTS: The proportion of "apparently independent" residents decreased from 18% in 1988 to 9% in 1993, 5% in 1998, and 4% in 2008, whereas those "highly dependent" increased from 16% in 1988, to 18% in 1993, 19% in 1998, to 21% in 2008. All functional indicators demonstrated increased dependency over the 20-year period (P < .0001). However, between 1998 and 2008 there were significant increases in dependency for continence, mobility, self-care, and orientation, but no significant changes in memory and behavior. CONCLUSION: The increased dependency over 20 years directly affects care requirements for this population.
Authors: Sanetta Henrietta Johanna du Toit; Loretta Baldassar; Christine L Raber; Adele M Millard; Christopher D Etherton-Beer; Helen A Buchanan; Daniel S du Toit; Lesley J Collier; Gary Cheung; Kathryn Peri; Eileen A Webb; Meryl Lovarini Journal: J Cross Cult Gerontol Date: 2020-03
Authors: K Peri; J B Broad; J Hikaka; M Boyd; K Bloomfield; Z Wu; C Calvert; A Tatton; A-M Higgins; D Bramley; M J Connolly Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-07-17 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Joanna B Broad; Toni Ashton; Thomas Lumley; Michal Boyd; Ngaire Kerse; Martin J Connolly Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2014-07-22 Impact factor: 4.615