The challenge of meeting the health care needs of older adults: a retrospective chart review.

Abstract

As the older adults of Ontario go through the phases of aging, some might experience functional deficiency and loss of independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). With rehabilitation and facilitation of essential health services, older adults will have tremendous opportunities in the pursuit of self-sufficiency and functional independence. The current study focused on detailing a quick-paced rehabilitation program provided to older adults in northeastern Ontario. The program of interest was the Assess-Restore program provided by the St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre (SJCCC) in Sudbury, Ontario. The study involved a retrospective chart review of 144 patients treated in the past four years, which facilitated the examination of patient charts, as well as the extraction and analysis of their functional status and capabilities prior to admission (PTA) and at discharge. Data were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set Version 2.0 (RAI-MDS), which is part of the “PointClickCare” system. Although the study did not find significant changes in the level of functionality and self-sufficiency, it succeeded in effectively promoting functional restoration allowing the majority of patients to return to a level of independence in the community and avert subsequent need for residential care rather than risk further functional deterioration.