Home Visiting Nurse Agencies for Community Dwelling Elderly at Nighttime in Japan

Our objectives were to describe the care provided during the nighttime and to discuss the characteristics of individuals who are more likely to be cared for at nighttime by visiting nurses of home visiting nurse agencies (HVNAs). Thirty-one clients participated in this study. Eight clients were physically independent and 23 clients were chair/bed bound. Among the physically independent group, the contents of the care at scheduled times were insulin injection and blood sugar measurement in four clients. Among the chair/bed-bound group, the most frequently given medical treatment was sputum suction (16 clients). The majority of clients who received HVNA services at night and early in the morning required medical treatment. The disease condition of clients was unstable and assessment of changes in disease condition was desirable.