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Age and Ageing 2002; 31: 471-475
© 2002, British Geriatrics Society

Short report

Three-month follow up of patients discharged from a geriatric day hospital

Marilyn Malone, Amanda Hill and Geoff Smith

St. Vincent's Hospital, 749 W. 33rd Avenue, Vancouver, BCV6J 5H7, Canada

Abstract

Objective: to determine if mobility and functional status of patients attending a geriatric day hospital are maintained three months after discharge.

Design: prospective, before-after, quasi-experimental design.

Participants: community-dwelling elderly referred for comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary management.

Methods: all patients who attended a geriatric day hospital for at least 5 visits and discharged between 1 August, 1999 and 1 March, 2000 were eligible (n = 41). Measurements were performed at admission, discharge and three months post-discharge. Data were analyzed using one way repeated measures ANOVA for parametric data and the Friedman-Chi square test for non-parametric data.

Outcome measures: Barthel Index, Timed Up and Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, Mini-Mental Status Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results: from admission to discharge, significant improvements were seen in Timed Up and Go Test, Berg Balance Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale (all P<=0.002). From discharge to 3 months post-discharge, the Timed Up and Go Test, Berg Balance Scale and Mini-Mental Status Examination declined (all P<0.001) with no significant change in Barthel Index or Geriatric Depression Scale. From admission to 3 months post-discharge, Mini-Mental Status Examination scores declined (p=0.002) and Geriatric Depression Scale scores improved (p=0.007), with all other outcomes unchanged.

Conclusion: no sustained improvements in mobility or functional status were seen at 3 months following discharge from a geriatric day hospital. Further studies exploring methods to delay progressive deterioration in multiple domains are necessary.

Keywords: comprehensive geriatric assessment, day hospital


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