Improving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care ...

6.2 ResidentsThe total number of residents in the survey is 14,266, of which 12,696 or 89 percent are classified as long-stay residents. The proportion of long-stay residents washighest in the private sector (95 per cent) and lowest in district/community hospitals(68 per cent). Just under 70 per cent of all residents in long-stay beds are femalewith the highest ratio of females to males in private nursing homes (Figure 6.1).The vast majority of residents in long-stay facilities are aged 75 years or over, witha significant number (just over 40 per cent) aged 85 years or over (Figure 6.2). Thisproportion is lowest in district/community hospitals and highest in voluntary homes/hospitals at more than 50 per cent. About 5 per cent of residents are aged 95 yearsand over. There is a small proportion of people aged less than 65 years of age ineach facility type. However, the age of residents does not differ significantly amongthe various facilities. The percentage of people in the oldest age category (85+) involuntary and private facilities has increased significantly since 1986, from 29 and28 per cent respectively (O’Connor and Thompstone, 1986) to 54 and 44 per centrespectively in 2005.114Figure 6.1: Percentage of male/female long-stay residents by facility typeWelfare homes(n = 13)District/Community hospitals(n = 26)Voluntary homes/hospitals(n = 33)Public homes/hospitals(n = 36)Private nursing homes(n = 201)All facilities(n = 309)0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%MaleFemaleImproving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care Settings in Ireland