Predictors of early hospital readmissions of older adults who are functionally impaired

When older adults who are chronically ill are discharged home, they face a high risk of hospital readmission. The purpose of the study was to determine whether low social support, low satisfaction with social support, high depressive symptomatology of the caregiver, and minimal use of home health care predicted hospital readmissions of the older adult. Sixty family caregivers were interviewed in their homes soon after hospital discharge and 3 months later. Tangible forms of social support and helping others were negatively related to the number of hospital readmissions. Nurses need to encourage families to seek and use social support that is offered.