HEALTH-STATUS OF SHUT-INS IN THE MARIGOT-HEALTH-DISTRICT, COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

In the Commonwealth of Dominica, the health and disability status of 1 08 people who, for various reasons, are confined to their homes - the so-called ''shut-ins'' - were studied. Eighty per cent of them were ov er 65 years of age and 10% were children. Most shut-ins were independe nt in self-care but dependent in general activities. Their overall hea lth was poor. Twenty-one suffered from diseases of the musculo-skeleta l system c.q. osteoarthritis, 13 from blindness of various origins, 13 from neurological diseases, 13 from CVA, psychosis or dementia and 13 from different other diseases. One-third suffered from more than one disease. A special programme would be required to optimize the home-ca re for the shut-ins and to encourage them to become more active.