A scheme of augmented home care for acutely and sub-acutely ill elderly patients: report on pilot study

A pilot study for a scheme of augmented home care for elderly patients with acute or sub-acute illnesses is described. General practitioner care was supplemented by the services of a geriatrician. Home Help and District Nursing Services were involved where appropriate. Functional recovery was assessed using a new index based on the individual patient's pre-morbid function. Of 37 patients treated at home, six required admission to hospital and three died. The remainder made satisfactory functional recovery. Preliminary evidence suggests that in patients with comparable illness, recovery of function in terms of the Activities of Daily Living is more rapid at home than in hospital. This augmented home-care scheme proved practicable and acceptable to patients and participants and suggests that further controlled studies should be carried out.