Levels of dependency in local authority homes for the elderly.

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Abstract
A census of residents in homes for the elderly clearly demonstrates the present extent of dependency among those residents, since 2.9% of the enumerated population were assessed as highly dependent on 4 scales. This group is likely to present very pressing problems of management and control. A further 13.9% of residents, rated as highly dependent on at least 2 scales, may be identified as substantially reliant on the care and support of residential staff. Almost a quarter of the residents were competent in their functioning on 4 scales, and more than half (53.8%) were clustered onto the bottom 3 rankings of the scale profiles. The implication is that the burden of care on residential staffs derives largely from the demands made on their time and skills by a minority of severely dependent residents. Local authority homes for the elderly are trying to cope simultaneously with 2 conflicting tasks: providing comprehensive personal and often nursing care to physically and mentally infirm old people creating an environment for living which safeguards the dignity and personal freedom of the more independent residents.

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