Addressing Healthcare Needs in Older People after Discharge

Maria Grazia Proietti, Teresa Compagnone, Giuseppe Liotta

Biomedicine and Prevention Department, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Community Cooperative Nuova Sair, Rome, Italy.
University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

DOI: 10.4236/aar.2014.33035                

Abstract

Healthcare needs should be addressed even when patients return home. The purpose of this study was to support a multidimensional assessment upon discharge to plan domiciliary care. Materials and Methods: This is a multicentre cross-sectional study that uses the Geriatric Functional Assessment questionnaire to assess healthcare needs. The questionnaire was administered upon discharge to 358 people aged over 65. Results: About 20% of our sample required healthcare support after discharge and 32% needed some sort of supervision. Most of the healthcare requirements involved socio-economic needs, neurological diseases, and inability to autonomously perform instrumental activities of daily living. Discussion: It is crucial to have an optimal discharge plan for older inpatients. Nurses play a key role in managing the care continuum process, and they have the instruments to select those requiring “supported discharge”, and collaborate with district nurses who can arrange healthcare interventions jointly with other professionals. They can facilitate access to resources, medical devices and aids required to restore patient autonomy.

Keywords

Multidimensional Evaluation, Elderly, Hospital Discharge

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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