The characteristics of respite patients.

A prospective study of planned respite admissions, comparing them to admissions to continuing care. The characteristics, dependency and CAPE scores of each patient were noted, as was medical intervention during the respite admissions. Twelve month follow-up provided data on long-term prognosis. Fifty three (30 females) respite patients; mean age 80.3 years (range 63-97) were compared with 31 (18 females) continuing care patients; mean age 82.6 (range 74-94). There was no difference in the physical dependency between the two groups, except that continuing care patients were significantly more incontinent of urine and had significantly worse cognitive function. Only eight (15%) respite patients needed medical intervention during their admission and one patient died. One year follow-up revealed that 26% of respite patients had died against 48% of continuing care patients (p < 0.01). A further 33% of respite patients had been admitted to institutional care.