ABSTRACT
REHABILITATION A process aimed at enabling people to reach and maintain their optimal physical, ➤ sensory, intellectual, psychological and social functional levels, as well as providing the tools they need to attain independence and self-determination (World Health Organization).4 Recovery from illness oft en takes longer in older people. ➤ Rehabilitation is an essential component of geriatric practice. ➤ Success relies on a multidisciplinary approach with eff ective communication ➤ between members of the team. Focus can be general or specifi c, e.g. stroke or orthogeriatric rehabilitation. ➤ Care can be provided in the inpatient setting or may be community based. ➤ Stages of the rehabilitation process (British Geriatrics Society 1997): ➤ 5
Assessment – identifi cation of problems — Planning – analysis of problems and goal setting — Treatment – intervention to reduce disability and handicap — Evaluation – assessment of eff ectiveness of intervention — Care – alleviation of any consequences of disability — Advice – development of coping strategies for patients and carers. —
CONTINUING CARE NHS-funded hospital-based care for patients who have particularly diffi cult ➤ continuing medical, physical, psychological and emotional needs and in whom there is no potential for improvement. Rapid expansion in private care capacity over the last three decades means that ➤ nursing home places now outnumber continuing care beds by 2:1. National eligibility criteria for entry to continuing care facilities must be met. ➤
RESPITE CARE Can be provided in the NHS or social service facilities depending on the patient’s ➤ requirements. May be an isolated episode or part of a programme to relieve carer stress. ➤ A good opportunity to reassess the needs of both patients and carers. ➤
OUTPATIENT CLINICAL CARE Smooth running depends on reliable transport services for disabled patients. ➤ Long waiting times should be avoided. ➤
GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITALS Originally developed in the UK in the 1960s. ➤ Benefi ts have been controversial for many years. ➤ May avoid admission to hospital or institutional care. ➤ Act as an interface between hospital and community services. ➤ Services provided include functional assessment, medical review and treatment if ➤ required and rehabilitation if appropriate. Patients attend for half/full days depending on need. ➤ Roles may extend to information provision, health education, respite for carers ➤ and opportunity for social interaction.
