Schizophrenic disorder in old age. II. Some differences in demographic, social and clinical characteristics in terms of place of permanent residence.

The author examined 129 cases who were at the time of the investigation 65 years of age and older and who, during their life-time, had been diagnosed as having a schizophrenic disorder. Using a modified P-86 questionnaire and SCAG scale, heteroanamnestic data, and data available from medical histories, the demographic, social, and clinical characteristics of this population were gathered. Differences were defined in terms of the examinees' place of permanent residence (at home, in hospital, in a retirement home). Among other things, the author shows that the type of the permanent residence corresponds to the severeness of the psychiatric disorder, that 1/3 of the sample is completely socially isolated, and that life in the retirement home has a very beneficial influence on the mental health of elderly patients. On the other hand, the question is raised whether the quality of the psychiatric care in the retirement homes is good enough.