Supporting elderly dependent people at home.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relation between the dependency of elderly people and the assistance they receive from others by using a detailed but simple measure of dependency.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data from a survey of people aged 70 and over.

SETTING

Two general practices in south Wales.

SUBJECTS

1280 people aged 70 and over.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Dependency on others to perform essential functions; detailed data on who assists with those functions.

RESULTS

Increasing dependency was associated with increased use of more than one member of the family or friends and an increase in the provision of statutory services.

CONCLUSION

The complexity of the relation between dependency and those who care for dependent people has previously been underestimated. The presence of providers of statutory services at the household of elderly dependent people suggests that these services can be developed further to help those caring for elderly people at home.