Care needs of functional psychotic patients in late life. the situation of elderly patients at psychiatric hospitals versus nursing homes

Abstract

The reforming process of Psychiatric care carried out in Spain over the last decades brought about the relocation of many psychotic patients in different nursing homes whilst some of them stay at Psychiatric Hospitals. Those people's real needs, formerly widely debated among psychiatric professionals, are scarcely known.

This paper assesses the situation of elderly psychotic patients received at a Psychiatric Hospital; its data are compared with those arising from other papers by our group which have been carried out in different nursing homes located in Galicia, Spain.

Nineteen patients over 60 years are residing at the Rebullón Psychiatric Hospital. A comprehensive evaluation of their health, functional capacity and social situation has been carried out. The Camberwell Assessment of Needs of the Elderly (CANE) has been used to systematize the met and unmet needs. The CANE distinguishes between 24 areas of needs and they are assessed by the patient and a carer.

Preliminary results: a) their basic material and health needs are met; b) the most important unmet needs are those related to recreational and leisure activities, as well as the existence of intimate personal relationships.

Moreover, the evaluation of psychotic patients living at nursing homes has showed they lack accurate psychiatric assessment and treatment; many centres are not the adequate ones to fulfil their needs.

In conclusion, these patients suffer the double stigma the WHO is alerting about: because of their mental disease and because of their advanced age.