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This report describes functional status at admission, discharge, and six months later for 100 elderly persons treated at a community hospital assessment and rehabilitation unit. The goal of the unit is to prevent institutionalization of frail elderly persons considered at risk for nursing home placement. Characteristics of the first 100 admissions include the following: average age, 79 years; female, 77 per cent; length of stay, 23 days; average number of admitting diagnoses, 3.4. Ninety-one new diagnoses of treatable conditions were made. On admission, 81 per cent of patients were confined to bed or chair or needed assistance with ambulation, compared with 27 per cent at discharge and 22 per cent at six months. Activities showing significant improvement include dressing, housekeeping, use of toilet, and ambulation. At six months, 15 per cent had died, 67 per cent were living in the community, and 19 per cent were institutionalized. It is concluded that care at the geriatric unit probably resulted in improved function and decreased nursing home placement.

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