[Prevalence of dementia and medical care in German nursing homes: a nationally representative survey].

Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of dementia and the degree of medical care among residents of nursing homes based on a nationally representative sample of nursing homes in Germany for the first time.

Methods: Based on a probability sample of 609 long-term care institutions in Germany, we drew a sample of 86 facilities by applying a two-stage random procedure. All residents of the participating care facilities were comprehensively assessed by qualified nurses using a standardized Care and Behavior Assessment (CBA).

Results: Of the 4,481 residents assessed in 58 care facilities (mean age 82.6 years;78 % female) on average 68.6 % (95 % CI: 67.0 - 69.8) were affected by a dementia-syndrome, 56.6 % by a severe dementia-syndrome. There were frequent contacts between residents and general practitioners, but provision of specialized medical care seemed to be deficient in many aspects.

Conclusion: People with dementia form the major group of residents in German nursing homes. The study provides important data on need for care and health care planning.