[Factors related to admission or institution among the frail elderly with a home-visit nursing service]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate factors associated with admission of frail elderly to hospitals or nursing homes with a home-visit nursing service.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Subjects: 395 consecutive frail elderly who were receiving domiciliary visits by nurses from St. Mary's home-visit nursing station between April 1993 and March 1998.

Results: 1) During the six-month follow-up, malignancy was positively related to admission to either hospitals or nursing homes while severe disability curtailing activities of daily living was negatively related to admission. During both one-year and two-years follow-up, severe disability of daily living was negatively related to admission. 2) Elderly people consulting doctors at general hospitals were more commonly hospitalized or institutionalized than those consulting family doctors in clinics. 3) The need for a short-stay service (i.e., "temporary nursing home assistance") was a risk factor for admission during the six months, one-year and two-years follow-up periods.

Conclusion: The frail elderly should consult family doctors in clinics in order to avoid admission to hospitals or nursing homes.