Characteristics of a rural geriatric rehabilitation service

The aim of this article is to examine the role of two geriatric rehabilitation units in a large rural area, and compare them with published data about rehabilitation units in urban settings. We look at the inputs to the units and the measurable outputs, including length of stay, discharge disposition of patients and changes in patient activities of daily living. We show that rehabilitation services provided in the rural environment have lengths of stay and improvements in activities of daily living that are similar to those found in urban areas.