Community care for 20 psychiatrically disabled older men

Summary

The psychiatric medical and social needs of 20 men aged 45 and over who had attended a psychiatric day-hospital for a year or longer were studied, together with how and to what extent these needs were met. Psychiatric and physical morbidity, and behavioural deficits, were high, and physical morbidity especially high in those over 60. Most men required and received some or considerable help for psychiatric and physical illness and in many areas of social functioning. Nevertheless, in almost half the cases, in the areas of personal care and leisure activities, the standards achieved were unsatisfactory. Families provided good quality care for an unexpectedly large proportion of men under 60.