Patient and carer satisfaction in geriatric day hospitals

Abstract

Our objective was to assess the satisfaction of patients who attend geriatric day hospitals, and of their carers. We used a convenience sample survey of 92 patients (mean age 77) and 94 carers of patients attending three geriatric day hospitals in Nottingham, England. Patients were interviewed and carers were contacted by post. Questionnaires were derived from a regional strategy document for the evaluation of day hospital services: 81/92 (88%) patients always liked coming to the day hospital and 77/91 (85%) felt that their attendance was always worthwhile; 85/89 (96%) of the carers felt that the patient had improved; 74/81 (91%) of carers felt that they needed the break from caring afforded by the day hospital attendance and 74/79 (94%) of carers felt that they personally had benefited from it. There was thus a high level of satisfaction with the day hospital service among attenders. The role of the day hospital in supporting carers is greatly appreciated.

Key Words:

• satisfaction survey
• carers
• elderly

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. R. F. Gladman

It is with great sadness that we have to inform the readership of the Journal that shortly after completing the final editorial work on this Special Issue, Professor Kalman Jacob Mann was seriously injured in a car accident and subsequently died.

Professor Mann was responsible for establishing the two Hadassah Hospitals and Community Health Centres in Jerusalem and for the past 20 years headed the Presidium of Yad Sarah, Israel's largest community based, volunteer operated organization which provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost home care services nation-wide.

We offer our condolences to his family and friends, and trust that this Special Issue stands as a testament to his work in the field.