Changes in age and need for care among patients in a geriatric institution during a two-year period.

Two cross-sectional studies, carried out at an interval of exactly 2 years at a geriatric institution accomodating about 1400 residents, show an increase in the age of the patients and in the need for care after the 2 years. An analysis of the conditions shows that the changes are due to the surviving patients becoming older and in need of more care, without adequate compensation for this trend having been taken into account when admitting new patients. The admittance and staff aspects connected with these changes are discussed.