Portrait of old people in Cairo hostels: a morbidity prevalence survey and some empirical correlations

ABSTRACT

This is a report on the physical, mental and social health of the residents of two hostels for the elderly in Cairo I980. Males were hyper represented specially in the age group 75 years and over. Widowhood was the prevailing feature. Only half of the residents were born in Cairo. All males were retired with satisfactory financial and housing conditions prior to admission to hostel. Morbidity as illness per person mounted to 6.84. Depression was significantly higher in females. Dementia was significantly correlated with physical illnesses. Psychiatric illness was significantly correlated with poor contact with the family. Recommendations are given to improve the psychiatric and medical care of these residents