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Resident Dependency
362
Appendices
Using the Barthel Index, values were assigned to each resident based on time and
amount of actual physical assistance required. For example, a resident scoring 20
is continent, feeds him/herself, dresses him/herself, gets up out of bed and chairs,
bathes him/herself and is mobile. However, this does not mean that he/she can
live alone, remain unsupervised, cook or interact socially. Middle scores (15-19)
imply that the resident can supply over 50% of the effort. A score of 0 means that
the resident cannot perform any of the activities of living unaided and requires up
to two people for assistance with care. This tool has good reliability and,
according to Hartigan (2007), the validity of the Barthel Index has been
extensively evaluated and demonstrated.
TheDepartment of Health and childrenof Ireland categorises older people as low,
medium, high and maximum dependency.
Low Dependency: Persons who need some support in the community and the
more independent residents in residential accommodation who require little
nursing care. They are usually independently mobile but may use a walking stick
and have difficulty managing stairs.
Medium Dependency: Person whose independence is impaired to the extent that
he or she requires residential care because the appropriate support and nursing
care required by the person cannot be provided by the community. Mobility is
impaired to the extent that the person requires supervision or a walking aid.
High Dependency: Independence is impaired to the extent that the person
requires residential care but is not bed bound. The person may have a
combination of physical and mental disabilities, may be confused at times and be
incontinent. He/she may require a walking aid and physical assistance to walk.
Maximum Dependency: People whose independence is impaired to the extent
that he/she requires nursingcare. The person is likely to be bed bound, requires
assistance with all aspects of physical care and may be ambulant but confused,
disturbed and incontinent.