journal articles
RESIDENT CHARACTERISTICS IN AN AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOGERIATRIC RESIDENTIAL FACILITY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
D. Koder, C. Kamath
Jour Nursing Home Res 2017;3:54-60
Background: There is a dearth of research in the area of residential care for psychiatric elderly patients, despite their complex needs and the high prevalence rate of mental health problems in nursing homes. There are few accommodation alternatives specific to the needs of residents with both physical and mental health presentations. Objectives and method: A cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to describe the characteristics of 84 residents from a residential facility caring for psychogeriatric patients via a retrospective file audit. Risk factors associated with residents being admitted to hospital were also of interest in order to assess severity of presentations and to direct resource planning. Data related to medical and psychiatric diagnoses, treatment, estimates of cognitive functioning, depression, verbal and physical aggressive behaviours, pain and falls risk were collected. Results: Based on descriptive statistics from the available data base of resident records, the profile of the average resident of this facility is aged 71, with a diagnosis of schizophrenia being treated via atypical antipsychotics, having at least one medical co-morbidity such as osteoarthritis and hypertension and has lived in the facility for six years. A significant relationship was noted between behavioural issues and both cognitive functioning and depression. There was a relatively low rate of psychiatric admission to hospital, with falls risk predicting admission to hospital, based on logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Falls prevention programs are needed to positively impact on hospital admissions. The influence of poor cognition and depression on behavioural problems suggests there is a need to address cognitive limitations in future planning of environments and programs for older residents with mental health issues. Exercise programs may also improve mood, as well as mobility, in these residents. Attention is needed in reliably measuring aspects of care via subjective self-reports in this population.
CITATION:
D. Koder ; C. Kamath (2017): Resident characteristics in an Australian psychogeriatric residential facility and their relationship with hospital admissions. The Journal of Nursing Home Research Science (JNHRS). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jnhrs.2017.9