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PEPPERTREE LODGE SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE FIRST FIFTEEN MONTHS OF THE FIRST C.A.D.E. UNIT
Author(s) -
Fleming R.,
Bowles J.,
Mellor S.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
australian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 0726-4240
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.1989.tb00779.x
Subject(s) - unit (ring theory) , confusion , dependency (uml) , psychology , medicine , computer science , mathematics education , artificial intelligence , psychoanalysis
The development, design and programming involved in establishing Peppertree Lodge, a unit specifically designed for the care of the confused and distrubed elderly (C.A.D.E.), have been described earlier (Fleming and Bowles, 1987). This paper outlines the characteristics of the residents admitted in the first 15 months and charts their progress with special reference to a group of ten who have been followed throughout the fifteen month period. The information presented supports the hypothesis that a purpose built unit staffed at the same level as a psychiatric hospital can bring about significant improvements in self‐help skills, behavioural problems and social skills while reducing dependency on staff. While the reduction in the level of confusion in the residents did not reach significance the trend to a lower level is clearly demonstrated. Some observations on the probable causes of the low staff turnover are presented.