A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF THE RISKS FOR INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF ELDERLYPEOPLE IN NOVA-SCOTIA

Few studies of the risks of institutionalization of the elderly have h ad fully specified models using multivariate analysis, and several stu dies have examined highly selected populations, making their generaliz ability uncertain. We set out to examine the risks of institutionaliza tion in elderly people in Nova Scotia. A case-control study, executed as part of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging examined 108 inciden t institutional cases and 533 community-dwelling elderly controls, usi ng a standardized assessment interview conducted by trained interviewe rs. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that advancing age, p resence of dementia, functional impairment, poor self-rated health, re cent hospital admission, and absence of a caregiver were important ris ks for entry into long term care. Institutions providing long-term car e for the elderly need to be able to look after populations with a hig h prevalence of dementia and functional impairment.