Pensions pour personnes âgées ou encadrement à domicile: Facteurs discriminants

Abstract

This research forms part of a two centre study (Fribourg et Geneva) on the use of medical and socio-medical services by elderly persons. It was undertaken under the auspices of the national research programme No 8 (Efficiency and effectiveness of the Swiss health system). The study covered 1173 persons aged 65 years or over receiving care in three services (partly medicalized nursing homes, retirement homes and home nursing services) in four french speaking districts of Fribourg Canton. The staff of these services provided cross sectional data on the personal characteristics of their clients or patients, their physical and mental capacities, the specific services provided to them, and some indications on their home circumstances. The results show differences between districts and services in terms of the overall utilisation rate, its structure, and the detailed profiles of specific needs and services. The discussion focusses on the possible interpretations of these differences and on the fundamental problem matching services to needs.