Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.03.1983, Side 201

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returned to the place where they came from or transferred elsewhere,
they were regarded as longstay patients. In the view of the geria-
trician, however, a third of the patient group had good changes of
returning to the community if given appropriate treatment and
their problems were managed by a multidisiplinary team. If this
outcome is projected in terms of hospital facilities it equals the
opening of two new hospital wards , within the existing facilities.
Quality of life however, is more difficult to assess but the
general opinion of experts is that the rating of happiness and
contentment is higher in elderly subjects outside hospital,
provided their basic needs can be fullfilled. The creation of
a multidisiplinary geriatric team with adequate backing of
resources could serve the interests of both the overloaded
hospital and the patient.
This study also revieled that it would not be in the interst
1/2 - 2/3 of the patient group to carry on with their treatment
and care outside hospitals. However, even the inpatient care
gives scope for improvement. The study showed wide differences
in the drug treatment, the common use of bladder catheters, a
high incidence of fecal incontinence and of mental disorders all
needing special skills in management. It is easy to understand
that treatment and care of elderly invalids becomes second place
in hospital wards with a fast turnover rate of younger patients.
The discrepancies become more pronounced when there are staff
shortages. It can be argued that the complex problems of the
longstay patient would be better cared for by trained staff in
specially equipped units. It is timely that the hospital health
service adapted to the special needs of these elderly longstay
patients.
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