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

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<or=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.