The home care patient. A comparison with the nursing home patient.

Forty-two patients receiving medical home care (MHC) were studied and compared with a group of 191 nursing home (NH) patients in the same area. Most MHC patients were over 65 years old. In both groups the illnesses that dominated were mainly circulatory and musculoskeletal diseases. The NH patients had significantly lower test results concerning intellectual, motor and ADL functions. The frequency of dementia was 3 times higher for both MHC and NH patients than for the average population in the same age groups. Depressed mood, anxiety, fear and panic were common symptoms for MHC as well as for NH patients. Both groups of patients investigated had frequent communication with relatives and friends. MHC patients took part in activities outside the home less frequently than NH patients. The results of this study indicate that MHC and NH patients constitute two different groups, that both NH and MHC care are needed, and that one form cannot replace the other. The high frequency of dementia in both groups stresses the point that mental impairment is a strong factor for the need of care.