[Documentation and research in clinical rehabilitation of geriatric patients]

Although we have extensive knowledge about rehabilitative treatment procedures in geriatrics, we lack an emphasis on geriatric rehabilitation in our institutions of public health. And we lack objective methods to illustrate the performance profile. Documentation and internal clinical evaluation that show results of patient rehabilitation programs may alleviate this deficiency. These will illustrate what may be expected from rehabilitation efforts. The example of one medical and geriatric clinic shows how documentation and research are applicable in clinical practice and how they are beneficial in daily life. The evaluation and changing of treatment methods, the training of staff, the cooperation of patients' relatives, and after-care institutions are all necessary elements. Steps should be taken for internal clinical evaluations and continual follow-ups that demonstrate the rehabilitation process in clinical and after-care situations.