Ancianos: relación entre residencia y estado de salud / Elderly: relationship between residence and health status

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The European population is aging, for every 100 young people there are 128 elderly. There is a decrease in the number of elderly people living in their family environment. The main objective of this study is to identify the differences in the general health status of the elderly according to their residence in families or in others types of centres (nursing home, host family or national integrated network of integrated care (NINIC)). Material and Methods: This is an observational study, using a sample of 254 elderly patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Service. Results: Of the patients studied, 78,7% lived at home/with relatives, 15,4% in nursing homes, 3,15% in host families and 2,75% in NINIC. Age ranged from 65 to 99 years, with a median of 80 years (SD=7,97). Patients from their homes were more independent/mild dependence (X(3)=59.8, p<0.001), although there were no significant differences in the number of comorbidities (t(252)=0.029, p=0.999). However, patients from others centres had more neurological pathology (X(1)=12.39, p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the number of medications usually taken, although patients from others centres had more potentially inappropriate medications (t(252)=5.85, p<0.001) and potential prescribing omissions (t(252)=3.71,p<0.001). Patients at home had fewer rehosts (X(1)=5.14, p=0.039). There were more intercurrences (X(1)=19.0, p<0.001) and more deaths at 6months after discharge (X(1)=16.3, p<0.001) from others centres. Conclusion: In a population less attended by families, these differences in relation to their dwelling places are paramount. (AU)