Prevention Admission into Nursing homes (PAN): study protocol for an explorative, prospective longitudinal pilot...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited rehabilitation services and coordination for older adults in Switzerland.
• Increasing hospitalization rates in rehabilitation facilities with existing gender bias.
• Lack of evidence on long-term effects of post-acute care programs on older adults' functioning and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sustainability of a post-acute care program in three nursing homes in Zurich, Switzerland.
• To assess the impact of post-acute care on older adults' functionality, quality of life, and informal networks.
• To explore the experiences of informal caregivers in supporting older adults' transition to home-based living.

Main Methods:

• Explorative, prospective, longitudinal pilot trial (Prevention Admission into Nursing homes - PAN study).
• Inclusion of 260 participants aged ≥65 years in post-acute care units, discharged within 8 weeks.
• Primary endpoint: functionality (Barthel Index); Secondary endpoints: independence, quality of life, informal network, and qualitative caregiver evaluation.

Main Results:

• The study anticipates observing improved functional status and independence post-program.
• Qualitative data from caregivers will provide insights into the transition process for older adults returning home.
• The pilot aims to establish the feasibility and potential long-term benefits of the intervention.

Conclusions:

• The PAN study will provide crucial data on the effectiveness and sustainability of post-acute care for older adults in Switzerland.
• Findings are expected to inform the development of improved rehabilitation services and care coordination.
• The study contributes to understanding the role of informal caregivers in successful aging in place.