This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate and the relationship between causative diseases and self-help abilities in bed ridden patients of the elderly. The study group was composed of 1,568 peoples aged 65 or more, living in Taejeon city and Chungnam provincial area.
The results obtained were as follows：
1. The prevalence rate of bed ridden patients were 5.7％ in male, and 4.3％ in female. The rates revealed increasing basis with the ages.
2. The prevalence rate was higher in city area with 6.1％ than inland and seaside area with 4.3％, 3.7％ respectively.
3. The mean age of bed ridden patients were 75.9 years in male, 78.0 years in female. The rates were variable with residential area. As the cause of bed ridden patients the cerebrovascular disease was higher in urban than rural area.
4. The mean age of causative diseases was the highest in contusion and fracture with 82.8 years. The period of bed ridding was the highest in muscular disease and arthropathy with 60.2 monthes.
5. The average score of activity of daily living was the highest in muscular disease and arthropathy and followed by respiratory disease, other disease, senility, cerebrovascular disease, contusion and fracture with decreasing basis. But most bed ridden patients did the activity of daily living similar to those of normal persons.
6. The causative diseases were diagnosed mainly in general hospital, hospital, and herb medicine, but muscular disease and senility were in self-diagnosed.
7. The helper of bed ridden patients were mainly wives or daughters in law.
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