© 1988 Oxford University Press
research-article |
PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS IN ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF PART III HOMES IN ONE LONDON BOROUGH: PROGNOSIS AND REVIEW
Royal Melboume Hospital Parkville, Victoria, 3060, Australia
University of Liverpool P.O. Box 147, Liverpool, L69 3BX
Academic Department of Psychistry, Royal Free Hospital Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
Royal Free Hospital Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
Address correspondence to Professor Mann.
The psychiatric morbidity among 390 (89%) residents of the 12 Part III homes managed by the London Borough of Camden has been assessed using a standard interview, for comparison with data obtained from residents in a previous survey. Fewer residents were now assessed as having no evidence of dementia or depression, the proportion with some degree of dementia having risen in the 3.6-years follow-up period.
Of the original residents, 64% were no longer present by the time of the second survey; the great majority were likely to have died. Residents who had previously been assessed as severely demented or depressed were over-represented in this group. Of the residents who remained, only 17% of those previously depressed had recovered. This evidence suggests that Part III homes are continuing to amass a large number of residents suffering from dementia and depression. The need for adequate psychogeriatric services to Part III homes remains pressing.
accepted in revised form October 25, 1987.