ABSTRACT
An analysis of 1156 assessment forms was carried out in order to: (a) provide a baseline for an evaluation study, and (b) enable service characteristics to be developed. It was estimated that 1156 accounted for 70% of the total number of disabled people who visited the centre over a 5-year period. The assessments, completed by an experienced occupational therapist (OT), recorded demographic details and some of the problems encountered by disabled people with daily living activities. The greatest demand for the service came from the over-60 age group and, in particular, women aged between 70 and 79 years. A total of 79% (n = 693) of referrals were made by health workers; of that number, 81% (n = 561) were referred by an OT. Few referrals came from general practitioners. The most frequently reported medical condition affected the musculoskeletal system. The most frequently reported problem with daily living activities was bathing/showering. The amount of time spent on an assessment occupied a large proportion of the OT's capacity. Implications for the service are discussed.
Subject(s)
Disabled Persons , Rehabilitation Centers , Activities of Daily Living , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Catchment Area, Health , Child , Child, Preschool , England , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Referral and ConsultationABSTRACT
A 24-hour reality orientation programme was initiated in a long-stay geriatric ward. Nursing and occupational therapy routines were changed specifically to meet the needs of the 20 patients participating in the programme. The assessments included the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly, the Holden Communication Scale, the Holden Orientation Facilities Scale, and the Oberleder Scale (adapted by Holden et al.). These scales were administered before, during and after completion of a study lasting 4 months. The CAPE scales showed no significant results. However, the Holden Communication Scale indicated that there were significant differences for certain groups of patients. Those patients with high scores initially tended to continue to have high scores and showed no real change. However, patients who had scores in the medium range initially, showed improvement. This finding indicated that severity at onset of the experiment was an important variable when considering outcome of treatment. Expectations regarding the future of the very elderly must be realistic, and to anticipate a return to previous vitality and total independence should not be expected. However, to find a means by which functional levels can be maintained, and even slightly improved, is desirable. It would seem that the 24-hour reality orientation programme achieved this goal.
Subject(s)
Geriatric Nursing , Occupational Therapy , Reality Therapy/methods , Aged , Communication , Female , Hospital Units/organization & administration , Humans , Male , Psychological TestsSubject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Aged , England , Humans , Physician-Patient Relations , Physicians, FamilyABSTRACT
A total of 1014 physiotherapy out-patients and their therapists were interviewed at 10 hospitals in Oxfordshire and Devonshire, including a District General Hospital, a Geriatric, and a sample of associated Community Hospitals in each of the two regions. Over 70% of these patients were suffering from long-term disabilities. The proportion of this type of patient varied between the hospital types, and this variation was similar in the two regions. The overall frequencies with which the different physiotherapy treatments were employed were, for the most part, similar in all departments regardless of hospital type or regions involved. Exercises and heat were the predominant treatments everywhere. The standard frequency of attendance was twice or three times a week. One third of the patients used hospital transport; most patients attended a hospital reasonably close to their homes.
