Sustainability of In-Patient Geriatric Rehabilitation: Medical and Psychological Predictors for Independence 6 Months after Discharge

Purpose: This article investigates which medical and psychological variables predict long-term success of geriatric rehabilitation in patients who are discharged back to their home environment. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort-study in the field with three data collection points was carried out. The matter concerns 68 patients of at least 65 years of age, a minimum MMSE of 18 points in an in-patient geriatric rehabilitation treatment followed-up at home 6 months after discharge. The medical and psychological predictors were assessed with valid instruments. Results: After multi-collinearity diagnosis was carried out a multiple linear regression was calculated. A significant overall model (p = 0.001) with a variance explanation of 53.0% resulted. Predictors for independence (Barthel-Index) after 6 months were the Barthel-Index at discharge, a positive development in cognitive function after discharge, rehabilitation concerned self-efficacy and goals concerning social contacts for the time after discharge. Discussion: The interpretation of the results is limited by the sample size. However, since in spite of the small sample size a significant model resulted, the predictors seem to be relatively robust. While the functional status at discharge and the cognitive status were already mentioned as predictors for sustainability by other authors, the predictive power of self-efficacy as well as of goals concerning social contacts are in the area of geriatric rehabilitation a rather new finding. Conclusions: This should generate the implementation of measures which strengthen the conviction of the geriatric patients that they themselves can influence their course of recovery.