Centre for Policy on Ageing



A comparison of older longstay psychiatric and learning disability inpatients using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales
Author(s)	Olakulne Ashaye, George Mathew, Mahonar Dhadphale
Journal title	International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol 12, no 5, May 1997
Pages	pp 548-552
Keywords	Mental disorder ; Cognitive impairment ; Long term patients ; Comparison.
Annotation	In this study, 26 longstay psychiatric patients aged over 65 in psychogeriatric wards of a psychiatric hospital were compared with 23 longstay patients aged over 65, and 40 longstay patients aged 50-65, both resident in wards of special hospitals for learning disabilities. The degree of overlap of symptoms and needs which may allow for their care within the same service was examined, using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Psychiatric patients scored significantly higher for problems with mood, relationships, and occupation or activities. There were no significant differences between the two groups of patients with learning difficulties. Similarities between the three groups of patients suggests that for some patients, the same services could be used, which could reduce care costs and make more economical use of facilities and staff. The HoNOS could be of use in monitoring the outcome of healthcare in long stay patients.
Accession Number	CPA-970905011 A
Classmark	E: E4: LF7:4Q: 48
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.