Predictive Validity of Factors Influencing the Institutionalization of Elderly People with Psycho-Geriatric Disorders

Abstract

The predictive validity of certain items was tested with respect to their influence on the institutionalization of elderly people with psycho-geriatric disorders (n = 69). Twelve items measuring both the patient's condition and the exhaustion around the patient were tested. Two outcome measurements were used, the first measuring the number of patients who were institutionalized after the end of 12 months and the second measuring the number of days at an institution during 12 months. The items “Exhaustion of spouse” and “Supervision need” showed the highest correlation with institutionalization and predicted institutionalization, better than items describing the degree of dementia.

Key Words:

• dementia
• psycho-geriatric disorders
• predictive validity
• institutionalization