A comparison of methods for the evaluation of mental health day hospitals for older people

Don't seize the day hospital! Recent research on the effectiveness of day hospitals for older people with mental health problems

“…variable admission criteria) and also that some people continued to attend DHs for years suggesting that in some cases these were providing continuing care. Kitchen et al (2002) evaluated the care given by ten DHs in London and Essex. A specialist team undertook a one-day review of each DH, which included interviewing key staff and patients, inspecting the facilities and reviewing relevant documentation.…”

“…Though Audini et al (2001) saw the diversity of DH functioning as its strength; the lack of clarity regarding their purpose continues to hinder the advocates of DHs and undermines arguments for their effectiveness. The importance of audit to improve effectiveness of DH use is becoming recognised (Brocklehurst, 1992) and some attempts have however been made to establish criteria for DH care, for example Kitchen et al (2002) used a variety of standards to evaluate DH services.…”

Standards of care in day hospitals and day centres: a comparison of services for older people with dementia

“…Neither type of service was operating at full capacity, in terms of their designated dementia places, although day centres appeared to be operating closer to capacity than day hospitals (87% vs 77%). Day hospital occupancy levels were, however, higher than comparable data from a study of ten day hospitals in the South of England which reported overall capacity rates of 54% (Kitchen et al, 2002). Although there were more day centres than day hospitals in the sample, similar numbers of attendees with dementia were being cared for (1232 vs 1190) as day hospitals tended to be larger.…”

Psychiatric Day Hospitals for older adults -where have we been and where are we going now?

“…In many countries day hospitals have become a cornerstone of psychiatric care for the elderly (Kitchen et al, 2002). The first day hospital opened in the UK in 1946 and since then many have opened with the initiative of individual consultants as well as Government support (Vaughan, 1995).…”

“…Another call for research is in outcome measures. Comparisons of different ways of evaluating day hospitals have been made (see Kitchen et al, 2002) but yet the need for a standard measure of efficacy remains. Similarly there is a lack of research on the mix of staff skills and community support required for success (Beats et al, 2001).…”