Frail aged persons residing in South African homes for the aged who require hospitalisation. Part II. Rural areas.

The numbers and characteristics of white residents identified by medical and nursing staff to require more staff time and/or expertise and/or medical equipment than was available in rural homes for the aged in the Orange Free State were assessed. In the opinion of institution staff, 12.6% of extremely infirm aged persons would benefit by admission to a hospital catering for the chronically ill. The conditions affecting these residents are described and recommendations relating to their management are made.