Nursing Homes in Australia 1996-97: A Statistical
Overview will be released by the Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare on Friday.
The latest report shows a continuation of the trend towards
people with high dependency levels being admitted to nursing homes
- 56% in 1997 required 23.5 hours or more per week of care. This
compares with 52% in 1996.
The trend towards greater use of nursing homes for respite care
also continued - in 1996-97 respite care accounted for around 28%
of admissions, compared with 24% in 1995-96.
The report also shows respite residents have different
characteristics from permanent residents. Head of the Institute's
Welfare Division, Dr Ching Choi said 'they tend to be drawn from
different populations. For example, when they're admitted, respite
residents are more likely to be living in the community with
carers, and to be married, than people admitted as permanent
resident. They also tend to be younger.'
Dr Choi said the report shows slightly higher usage of nursing
homes by overseas-born people. 'Among those admitted to nursing
homes in 1996-97 there was a higher proportion of overseas born
people (26%) than in the current nursing home population
(20%).'
Other findings in the report include:
- The age and sex profiles, as well as dependency pattern, are
consistent among the States and Territories, with women continuing
to dominate the nursing home population.
- The occupancy rate of nursing home beds remained high and was,
on average, 97%.
- Death was the reason for separation of about 90% of permanent
nursing home residents.
9 October 1998
Further information: Dr Ching Choi, Welfare
Division Head, ph. 02 6244 1197.
For media copies of the report: Lena Searle, ph.
02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.