The purpose of this study was to elucidate special categories of elderly patients with intractable neurological diseases (NANBYO) in Toyama, Japan. This goal was accomplished through comparisons of data gathered in 1991 and 1997. Forty-eight (20 males, 28 females) with such diseases were recruited for the study and agreed to be interviewed. The surveys were performed by three public health center nurses. The same questionnaire was used in both years. The surveys show that the number of jobless patients and those who needed total support increased by approximately 20% from 1991 to 1997. In addition, it appears that the ratio of hospitalized patients and those who needed medical equipment installed at home increased considerably. The number of patients with caregivers increased by approximately 30%. As the caregivers got older, it was observed that the patients became more anxious about their health condition. Also, in both years, both patients and caregivers showed the highest concern about a sudden change in the patients' conditions. In conclusion, an assessment of patient and family needs is important for the development of a community health care system. It is also essential for all the parties in the field of health, medicine, and welfare, as well as volunteer groups, to have a good understanding of each other's services and to have a cooperative relationship coordinated by health centers through discussion of each individual case.
