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Deaths Within the First Year of Admission to Long Term Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Gloria M. Gutman ,
Annette J. Stark ,
Gail Witney  and
Brian McCashin
Gloria M. Gutman
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University
Gail Witney
Affiliation:
The University of British Columbia
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Abstract

On January 1, 1978, a new Long Term Care Program was introduced in British Columbia. Five levels of care are offered, any one of which may be provided at home or in a facility. This paper presents data from a longitudinal study of program clients (N = 3518) in two health districts, one urban, one semi-rural. The period of interest is the first twelve months after admission. Approximately one-quarter of these clients were discharged within one year of admission—one-half of them due to death. One-third of the deaths occurred in the first two months after admission and a further one-third in the following four months. Fewer than one-third of clients changed level or placement before death. Where transfers did occur they tended to be to higher levels of care and from home to an institution. The characteristics of clients who died are examined. These data may assist care providers to identify high risk clients. As well, they have implications for future resource allocation and planning.

Résumé

Le ler janvier 1978, un nouveau Programme de soins à long terme été introduit en Colombie britannique. Cinq niveaux de soins y sont offerts et peuvent être administrés à domicile ou dans le cadre d'un service. La présente communication présente les données d'une étude longitudinale des clients du programme (N = 3518) dans deux districts sanitaires, l'un urbain, l'autre rural. La période couverte comprend les douze mois qui suivent l'admission. En l'espace d'un an, le quart des clients avaient quitté le programme – dont la moitié pour cause de décès. Un tiers des décès ont eu lieu au cours des deux premiers mois suivants l'admission, et un autre tiers au cours des quatre mois qui ont suivi. Moins d'un tiers des clients ont changé de niveau ou de place avant leur mort. Dans les cas de changement, les clients ont généralement dû recevoir des soins plus intensifs, ou bien ils sont passés de la maison à une institution. Les caractéristiques des clients décédés font l'objet d'un examen. Les données recueillies pourront aider les donneurs de soins à identifier les clients qui présentent des risques élevés, et fournir des indications concernant l'allocation et la planification des ressources dans l'avenir.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 1 , Issue 3-4 , December 1982 , pp. 3 - 11
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1982

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