Three‐year follow‐up study of nursing home residents using rating scales in Japan

One hundred and nine nursing home residents were examined by the modified Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (modified SGRS) and the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale in April 1987. Twenty‐eight residents died during the three‐year period. The 64 survivors remaining at the nursing home were reexamined in April 1990 and were divided into two groups according to whether they had been admitted to hospital or not during the follow‐up period. Physical ability as measured by the modified SGRS and the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale had deteriorated in both groups, and communication failure and apathy on the modified SGRS were aggravated in the admitted group. It is considered that not only the physical care of all nursing home residents but also the psychogeriatric care of residents with severe physical impairment is necessary.