Referral to Geriatric Rehabilitation in the Netherlands, an Exploratory Study of Patient Characteristics

Geriatric rehabilitation is intended for older adults with vulnerability, comorbidity, and acute functional impairments. To explore and evaluate referral criteria, this study followed hospital patients referred for rehabilitation in nursing homes.

Exploratory, retrospective cohort study.

Participants were community living before acute hospitalization and referred for geriatric rehabilitation between January 15 and May 15, 2019. Data were collected at hospital admission, hospital discharge, and discharge from rehabilitation-oriented care. Outcome measure was the final discharge destination.

Out of 87 hospital patients referred for rehabilitation (mean age = 76.3 years, SD = 10.7), 73 received rehabilitation-oriented post-acute care and 60 (82.2%) returned home after rehabilitation. Premorbid functional status was regained by 45 (61.6%) participants and mobility by 40 (54.8%). Independent baseline mobility, no complications during post-acute care, fewer cognitive symptoms, and multidomain vulnerability were associated with discharge destination after rehabilitation.

A multidomain assessment can make vulnerability applicable in referral decisions and induce tailored individual rehabilitation programs.

This study explored the case-mix characteristics of hospital patients following rehabilitation trajectories. No frailty measures were available; vulnerability was refined into physical, cognitive, and social components. Careful assessment of vulnerability can support personalized referral decision-making.