Placement of dementia sufferers in residential and nursing home care. 
Few UK studies have examined the associations of residential or nursing home placement in dementia sufferers.  124 patients with mild to moderate dementia (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, revised) and in contact with clinical services were evaluated with a detailed standardized assessment and followed-up at monthly intervals for 1 year.  25 (21.6%) of the 116 patients living at home were admitted to residential or nursing home care during the follow-up year.  Institutional placement was associated with greater severity of cognitive impairment, severity of parkinsonism and the failure of carers to adopt active coping strategies.  An intervention to improve coping skills in carers may decrease the rates of residential and nursing home placement.