Predictors of Long-term Care Admission in a Rural and Remote Memory Clinic

Introduction: Caregivers face unique challenges when transitioning from at-home care to long-term care (LTC). We aimed to elucidate predictors of LTC admission within two years of initial presentation to a Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC) in Saskatchewan.

Methods: Analysis included 635 patients seen between March 2004 and June 2019 (admitted to LTC within two years = 222, not admitted = 413). Patients were assessed neuropsychologically and administered questionnaires.

Results: Univariate logistic regressions showed that advanced age (OR = 1.05, CI = 1.04-1.07), female sex (OR = 1.79, CI = 1.28-2.52), higher Functional Activities Questionnaire (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.06-1.11), lower MMSE (OR = 0.861, CI = 0.827-0.897), and higher Clinical Dementia Rating score (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.06-1.21) remained significant (p < .001).

Discussion: Being older, female, more dependent in activities of daily living, and having more severe dementia predicted LTC admission, potentially helping in planning care.