Characteristics and Functional Outcomes of Elderly Rehabilitation Patients

Abstract

Sixty‐seven patients admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit were assessed from admission to discharge by their primary nurses for functional outcomes and demographic characteristics. The patients had a mean age of 78.1 years and a mean length of stay of 58.6 days. Patients with an admitting diagnosis of a recent leg amputation were discharged more independent in ADL than those admitted following a recent stroke. Sixty‐nine percent of the patients were discharged home. Patients sent home were significantly more independent in ADL than those who did not return home. Almost all patients continued to improve in physical ADL and felt they were managing adequately or well in the home setting.

Outcomes of Lower Extremity Amputations

“…Whereas not all amputees are candidates for a prosthesis, a course in rehabilitation to learn wheelchair and transfer activities is established as beneficial 38,41,48,49 . Amputees can improve functional ability with training during hospitalization, and they can continue to improve skills after discharge 51, 52 …”

Functional and self‐efficacy changes of patients admitted to a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit

“…The primary goal of GRUs is to assist older patients to achieve the highest level of functioning according to their individual abilities. Therefore, interventions are targeted at reducing the burden of disease and associated impairments, and promoting optimal function within the limitations of the diseases and physical impair-ments (Gibbon 1992, Gregor et al 1996. In addition, a fundamental principle underlying GRU care is that subjective well-being is an important determinant of physical functioning.…”

A dinâmica dependência-autonomia em idosos submetidos à amputação de membros inferiores

“…Tais preconceitos dizem respeito à incapacidade de aprendizagem do idoso impedindo seu ajustamento à reabilitação e a visão de que os idosos são "pesos" para suas famílias e para a sociedade, não valendo, portanto, esforços econômicos vinculados ao processo de reabilitação 8,14 . De fato, na terceira idade, o potencial físico, a capacidade para aprender novas habilidades e reaprender habilidades antigas, podem estar freqüentemente alteradas.…”