DO SOCIAL RELIEF ADMISSIONS HAVE ANY EFFECT ON PATIENTS OR THEIR CAREGIVERS

Dependent patients and their care-givers were studied before and 1 wee k after a social relief admission in order to assess the effects on ph ysical and psychological problems. Data about care-giver stress and me ntal health were gathered, as well as patient data. Patients' self-car e abilities improved slightly but care requirements remained constant. Care-giver stress levels did not change, but there was a highly signi ficant improvement in their mental health. The results suggest that so cial relief admissions enabled care-givers to continue to look after v ery dependent people in the community.