Inter-regional comparisons in the pattern of use and needs for institutional care

Stuckless, Susan N. (2001) Inter-regional comparisons in the pattern of use and needs for institutional care. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

As the percentage of elderly people increases so does the demand for long-term care services. To ensure that the elderly will be properly cared for in the future, the efficiency of resource utilization needs to be maximized. As a result, the current study looked at the appropriateness of client placement and the annual demands for long-term care in both Western and Labrador health care regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. Comparisons were then made to findings in the St. John's region. -- The appropriateness of client placement, the efficiency of the single entry system and an estimate of the annual demands for long-term care were determined for both Western and Labrador using study populations of 178 and 51 respectively. A tendency to recommend clients for a higher level of care than they required was consistent with previous findings in the St. John's region. The percentage of clients suffering from impaired cognition was also high and Labrador had long waiting times for placement and a high occupancy rate of acute care beds by clients awaiting placement. -- To overcome the issue of inappropriate placement, minimal criteria for placement into supervised care and nursing home care facilities may need to be established. Alternate housing facilities for those with low to modest disability and those suffering from impaired cognition may also reduce the number of inappropriate nursing home placements. To reduce waiting list sizes and time to placement, waiting lists must follow some management scheme, such as placement based on assessed need, and target times for placement must be developed.

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