Correspondence analysis of items able to interfere with rehabilitation in institutionalised elderly patients

The primary aims of the study were a descriptive analysis of the resident population in a nursing home, an evaluation of cognitive performance, invalidity and degree of dependence. Two hundred and twenty elderly inpatients living in a rest home on the 31st of January 1994 were included in the study. All patients were evaluated by means of the following instruments: a case sheet; a card for registering the articular and muscular tests; Mini Mental State; Degree of Independence Evaluation Schedule; modified Parkside Behaviour Rating Scale (PBRS) and Barthel Index (BI) Correspondence analysis was used to define relationship among the different typologies of patients. The prevailing pathologies involved mainly the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. One hundred and twenty-four patients (56.4%) were judged to be completely dependent by the Degree of Independence Evaluation Schedule. Ninety-two patients came out very severely damaged at the PBRS, and 108 were severely dependent if tested by the B1. Cognitive performance was severely impaired. Correspondence analysis revealed the degree to which cognitive impairment influenced response to the other scales. We believe it is correct to design appropriate rehabilitation programs for healthy or borderline patients and moreover we think that the different contents in personnel compositions, time need and, obviously, costs.