Service Apartment Research Articles

Mortality and quality of life after trochanteric hip fracture

The objective was to evaluate the survival and some aspects of the quality of life of patients with trochanteric hip fracture after long-term follow-up in comparison with the age- and sex-matched controls without fracture. Two hundred consecutive patients (mean age at fracture 77 y) with trochanteric hip fractures were compared with the age- and sex-matched controls representing an average population from the same area. After a mean 7 y follow-up period a questionnaire concerning their place of residence, ambulation, causes leading to impairment, need for locomotor aids and management of activities in daily living (ADL) functions was sent to the surviving patients and controls. Mortality increased gradually being 4.5 percent above the control level one month after the fracture, 6.0 percent above at three months, 3.5 percent above at one year, 4.5 percent above at two years, 6.5 percent above at five years and 9.0 percent above at six years. Thirty (48%) of the surviving 62 patients and 83 (90%) of the 92 surviving controls were living in their own homes and 2 (3%) and 4 (4%) in service apartments respectively. Seventeen (27%) of patients alive were institutionalized in a chronic care hospital unit and 13 (21%) in an old people's home as compared with 2 (2%) and 3 (3%) of the controls respectively. Twenty-two (35%) of the patients and 73 (79%) of the controls were able to move about independently. The patients were significantly worse at ADL-management, required more home help and had fewer social contacts and outdoor hobbies than the controls. In conclusion surgically-treated trochanteric hip fractures markedly increase mortality rate, reduce independence and impair walking ability and ADL-functions, and thus seriously affect the health-related quality of life of the patients. This fact should be considered in the planning of the healthcare of elderly people. Public Health (2001) 115, 323–327.

Mortality and quality of life after trochanteric hip fracture

The objective was to evaluate the survival and some aspects of the quality of life of patients with trochanteric hip fracture after long-term follow-up in comparison with the age- and sex-matched controls without fracture. Two hundred consecutive patients (mean age at fracture 77 y) with trochanteric hip fractures were compared with the age- and sex-matched controls representing an average population from the same area. After a mean 7 y follow-up period a questionnaire concerning their place of residence, ambulation, causes leading to impairment, need for locomotor aids and management of activities in daily living (ADL) functions was sent to the surviving patients and controls. Mortality increased gradually being 4.5 percent above the control level one month after the fracture, 6.0 percent above at three months, 3.5 percent above at one year, 4.5 percent above at two years, 6.5 percent above at five years and 9.0 percent above at six years. Thirty (48%) of the surviving 62 patients and 83 (90%) of the 92 surviving controls were living in their own homes and 2 (3%) and 4 (4%) in service apartments respectively. Seventeen (27%) of patients alive were institutionalized in a chronic care hospital unit and 13 (21%) in an old people's home as compared with 2 (2%) and 3 (3%) of the controls respectively. Twenty-two (35%) of the patients and 73 (79%) of the controls were able to move about independently. The patients were significantly worse at ADL-management, required more home help and had fewer social contacts and outdoor hobbies than the controls. In conclusion surgically-treated trochanteric hip fractures markedly increase mortality rate, reduce independence and impair walking ability and ADL-functions, and thus seriously affect the health-related quality of life of the patients. This fact should be considered in the planning of the healthcare of elderly people. Public Health (2001) 115, 323–327.

Shanghai's service apartments: Product, pricing and competition

In 1998, a total of 18 existing service apartments have been identified in Shanghai, with about a third being luxurious service apartments. The majority of the service apartments were built within the last two years. A luxurious service apartment provides hotel‐like facilities, coupled with a home‐away‐from‐home atmosphere for long‐stay guests. Typically, comprised of one or more, bedrooms, a kitchen equipped with all conceivable household appliances and many other conveniences, guests also enjoy housekeeping and laundry service packages. Shanghai, with a population of over 15 million, has made great progress in its modernization efforts, and is fast catching up to become a financial center of Asia. The foreign investors, expatriate personnel and their families constitute the potential demand for luxurious service apartment as a major type of lodging facilities in Shanghai. This paper presents a research study to identify the marketing strategies of luxurious service apartments in Shanghai. To uncover the characteristics of their operations and their clients, two surveys are conducted, one on the existing service apartments and the other on their users.

Housing conditions of elderly people in a city. The Albertina Project.

To study housing conditions of elderly people in Uppsala, Sweden. The Albertina Project is an epidemiological study. A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample. The general population 75 years or older in the community of Uppsala, 1985. Information on marital status, housing conditions, housing standard, problems with the apartment/house, desires for modifications to the apartment, wishes to stay or to move related to the possibility to prevent institutionalization because of bad housing standard. About half of those who participated in the study were single (never married, divorced or widowed). 85% lived in their own homes, 10% in so-called service apartments, and only 5% in institutions. More than 90% had a good housing standard. 45% reported some form of housing problem, but only 14% wanted modifications to their dwelling, and only 8% wanted to move from their present dwelling, in most cases due to problems with stairs or need for more help. Most people lived in their own home and wanted to stay there. The housing standard appeared to be satisfactory in the majority of cases but minor modifications might prevent "unnecessary" moves to institutions.

The closure of a mental hospital in Sweden: Characteristics of patients in long-term care facing relocation into the community

A political decision to decentralize psychiatric care in a county of Sweden was made in October 1984, leading to the closure of the only large mental hospital in the area (290,000 inhabitants). The hospital is of the traditional type, with 490 beds and 1,294 staff members. It has units for long-term care, short-term care and rehabilitation and a unit for research and education. The long-term care is to cease completely and be replaced by community-based alternative types of care. In this study, the long-term population (n = 199) was characterized and their levels of functioning were measured. The results showed that 91% of the patients were 65 years old or more and that more than half of them were organically demented. Only 20% were chronic schizophrenics. All patients were cognitively impaired and 80% were also impaired in ADL functioning. A correlation between length of stay in hospital and ADL functioning was found in the organically demented group, but not in the group of chronic psychiatrically ill patients. Thirty-nine per cent of the population were severely impaired in ADL functioning and needed nursing care around the clock; 34% were moderately impaired and needed help and support that could be given in alternative types of care; 27% were not impaired at all to mildly impaired and could be relocated to some type of service apartment. Thus, all patients needed sheltered living arrangements and care provided by staff with adequate training.

Consumption versus need of institutional care after femoral neck fracture

For 137 patients who sustained a femoral neck fracture domiciliary circumstances, ADL functional level and walking ability were recorded during a period of six months in 1983. At the time of injury 71% were living at home or in a so-called service apartment with medical and domestic facilities, and 28% in chronic care institutions (1% were transferred from other acute care units). Of the surviving patients 43% could return directly home or to a service apartment on discharge, 21% were transferred to an orthopedic rehabilitation facility, convalescent home, or other acute care unit, and 36% to chronic care institutions. At the 1-year as well as the 2-year follow-up 39% of the surviving patients were living in chronic care institutions. Analysis of the various parameters for patients having recourse to chronic care facilities at follow-up, showed that almost half of this group might be cared for at home. However, this will only be possible on condition that an extensive and effective home medical care system is developed as a complement to domestic assistance provided by public agencies. It is unrealistic to expect the incidence of patients needing chronic care facilities following femoral neck fracture to subside below a minimum of 20%.