Research paperComparison of care dependency and related nursing care problems between Austrian nursing home residents with and without dementia

ObjectiveDemographic developments have led to increased chronic diseases, such as dementia, which result in care dependency and nursing care problems like incontinence. This study aims to compare the degree of care dependency and the prevalence of nursing care problems between Austrian nursing home residents with and without dementia.MethodsSince 2009 a cross-sectional study has been conducted annually in Austrian nursing homes. Data from the standardized questionnaire sampling 2155 residents with and 1422 residents without dementia between 2009 and 2012 have been analysed.ResultsSeventy-two percent of residents with dementia compared to 45.5% of residents without dementia are completely or to a great extent care dependent, with the highest care dependency being in hygiene, continence, (un)dressing and avoiding danger. Residents with dementia have a significantly higher prevalence of urinary incontinence (87.9% vs. 69.5%), fecal incontinence (68.2% vs. 44.5%), double incontinence (64.8% vs. 36.1%), restraints (33.5% vs. 22.4%), malnutrition (27.9% vs. 18.4%) and falls (9.9% vs. 7.0%). No significant difference was found for pressure ulcers (5.2% vs. 6.5%).ConclusionResidents with dementia have a significantly higher degree of care dependency than residents without dementia and they also have, except for pressure ulcers, a significantly higher prevalence of nursing care problems. These results should increase awareness among health care professionals of areas requiring target-oriented dementia care. Further research should explore care dependency and nursing care problems in different stages of dementia and compare the development of care dependency and nursing care problems among residents with and without dementia.