Physiological effects on patients following temporary closing of a geriatric day care unit

Geriatric day care is an essential part of modern geriatric care providing rehabilitation and social support. During a 5 week summer closure of a geriatric day care unit, 24 long attenders (defined as patients having day care > 26 weeks), were non-electively discharged and included in this study. Blood samples were drawn one week before the closure (0 week), at the reopening (7 weeks) and 7 weeks after the reopening (14 weeks). The results show a longitudinal tendency of rising plasma prolactin levels during the whole study period. There was non-significant increase in cortisol during the closure followed by a significant decrease 7 weeks after the reopening. All other measures were unaffected. The study indicates that geriatric patients submitted to longterm day care have a measurable psychophysiological response as a result of a non-controllable closure of a day care unit. The changes in plasma prolactin and cortisol levels are part of a general adaptation pattern. The study shows that elderly have a functional physiological response and chronically sick patients react selectively with regard to the hormone response. Thus, the results indicate that the support during minor life events induced by the closure of the day care ward should be improved.