Predictors of nursing home placement and mortality of residents in intermediate care

Age and Ageing,  Nov, 1994  by Stephen R. Lord

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Finally, the findings revealed that the study population was very vulnerable, with only just over half still residing at the intermediate-care hostel 3 years after assessment. Further research is required to determine ether poor physiological function may be a manifestation of 'terminal decline or drop'-a relatively rapid and possibly inevitable decline in function in the years preceding death [4, 26, 27], or be amenable to rehabilitation programmes aimed at improving strength, balance and mobility. If rehabilitation programmes could be shown to be feasible, they would have a major beneficial impact in terms of both quality of life and costs to the community.

Acknowledgements

I thank staff of the Anglican Retirement Villages (Elizabeth Lodge) for their support.

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