ELDERLY CARE RECIPIENTS IN A SWEDISH MUNICIPALITY LIVING IN THEIR OWNHOMES - THEIR DISEASES, FUNCTIONAL HEALTH-STATUS AND CARE PROVIDED ASREPORTED BY FORMAL CARERS

The aim of this study was to investigate from the perspective of forma l carers the care given to people aged 65 and over, who are cared for in their own homes by informal care. Thirty-three district nurses (DNs ) and 20 home service assistants in a municipality with 13 500 inhabit ants (over 65 years old), were interviewed about the location of care recipients and 398 care recipients were located. Most of them were ove r 80 years old and had more than one disease (62%), mostly related to the circulatory system (27%). Dependence in three or more of the Katz ADL categories was seen in 30%, reduced mobility in 67%, reduced memor y in 34% to a degree that restricted their everyday life and 34% of th em could seldom or never be alone. Care had been given for three years or more for 57% of these people. The monitoring of the disabilities a nd reduced functional health status differed significantly between the diagnostic groups. Home help service was associated with the care rec ipients' ADL index but not with their need for continuous monitoring. The DNs' care did not relate to any of the variables. In conclusion, d iagnoses, the care recipients ability to be alone and functional healt h status are important variables to include when assessing the demands for home care and when planning supplementary care for home care reci pients and their informal caregivers.