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Updated: May 27, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Assessing patients needs in outpatients with advanced heart failure]
Marina Pianese1, Vittoria De Astis, Raffaele Griffo
1U.O. Cardiologia Riabilitativa, ASL 3 "Genovese", Ospedale La Colletta, Arenzano, Italy. marina.pianese@asl3.liguria.it
Summary
Advanced heart failure (AHF) patients need better social support and disease education. Addressing these needs can improve quality of life and reduce hospital readmissions for elderly AHF patients.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiology
- Health Services Research
Context:
- The global population is aging, leading to a rise in advanced heart failure (AHF) patients.
- AHF is a primary cause of acute hospital admissions, with poor outcomes and quality of life due to frequent readmissions.
Purpose:
- To evaluate a mixed-methods approach for assessing the needs of AHF outpatients.
- To explore patient perceptions of needs, including social support, practical care, psychological support, and information, using qualitative interviews and quantitative tools.
Summary:
- A study of 50 elderly AHF patients (age >75) identified key needs: knowledge of services (80%), disease/lifestyle management (66%/72%), care manager identification (70%), and symptom awareness (60%).
- Patients reported communication difficulties and fragmented care coordination.
- Poor adherence, lack of symptom monitoring, inadequate discharge planning, and insufficient social support contributed to poor quality of life and readmissions.
Impact:
- Semi-structured interviews effectively identify patient information and educational needs in AHF care.
- Addressing everyday social and practical care needs is crucial for AHF outpatients.
- Reforming care delivery is essential to provide adequate educational and lifestyle support for AHF patients.
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