Inger Johansen, Morten Lindbaek, Johan K. Stanghelle, Mette Brekke
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0792

Objective: To assess the outcome of rehabilitation of older patients in a district rehabilitation centre.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Patients: A total of 202 patients aged ≥ 65 years rehabilitated at a Norwegian district inpatient rehabilitation centre, referred from district hospital, nursing homes or their own homes. Diagnoses were: stroke, arthrosis, hip fracture and other chronic diseases.
Methods: Admission: according to rehabilitation potential. Treatment: multidisciplinary team including an experienced general practitioner. Primary outcome measure: Sunnaas Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index (SI). Secondary outcome measure: Umea Life Satisfaction Checklist (LSC). Cognitive (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)), emotional (Symptom Check List-10) and marital status, residence, length of stay and hours/week private and home care services were recorded.
Results: SI increased significantly during the mean 3. 1 weeks stay (mean 4. 2, 95% confidence interval 3. 5, 4. 8), p < 0. 001), persisting after 3 months. Eighty-four percent of patients scored satisfied according to LSC after rehabilitation. SI at discharge (adjusted for SI at admission) was predicted by MMSE and type of residence. Seventy-four percent of the patients needed home care services < 3 h/week, at discharge and 3 months later.
Conclusion: Significant and persisting improvements in activities of daily living may be achieved by rehabilitation of older patients with stroke, arthrosis, hip fracture and other chronic diseases in a district inpatient rehabilitation centre with co-ordinated and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation.