[Development of a conversion table of dependence of the aged on home aide needs].

Planning home help for geographical areas requires information on disabilities and required needs. This paper proposes a methodology to estimate the amount of help required. The analysis is based on survey data from three French regions: Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon and Basse-Normandie and from a team of experts. The total need, whether covered by professionals or by the patient's social network is considered for three aspects: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and additional help resulting from home conditions. The required average number of hours per week varies from 49.9 for people confined to bed or chair, to 3.8 for people able to get out of their house without help (group 4). The need for IADL represents 44% of the total need for group 1 and 60% for group 4. Housing conditions generated an additional time representing 3 to 5% of total need, according to the group considered. The methodology allows to identified discrepancies between requirements and help provided by region and by disability group within each region. It appears to be a useful tool in planning home-help.