Older Adults With Complex Chronic Conditions Who Receive Care at Home: The Importance of Primary Care Assessment

Abstract

The current study aimed to describe the characteristics of older adults with complex chronic conditions cared for at home. One hundred thirty-eight participants were recruited. Participants' average age was 85.9 years and 69.6% were female. Poly-pharmacy was present in 89.9% of participants. Participants who presented with polypharmacy had a worse self-perception of health ( p = 0.002), and the worst fall rate. A total of 22.5% had experienced a fall during the past 6 months. Approximately one half of participants rated their self-perceived quality of life as bad or very bad. The percentage who used emergency services (54.3%) was greater than the percentage who needed to be admitted (43.5%). A worse self-perception of physical health was significantly associated with hospital admissions ( p = 0.01). Geriatric assessment by nurses can provide information to improve care in situations in which frailty, dependency, and chronic conditions occur together. Obtaining information on the needs of individuals with frailty is important in designing successful nursing interventions. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47 (11), 31–38.]