[Geriatric rehabilitation from the economic viewpoint]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Context:

• In Germany, mandatory nursing insurance impacts geriatric rehabilitation funding.
• Current financing models may limit the quality and effectiveness of rehabilitation services.
• Quality improvement initiatives in geriatric care face cost-effectiveness challenges.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of geriatric rehabilitation and quality improvement actions.
• To analyze the financial implications of current geriatric rehabilitation funding in Germany.
• To propose alternative funding models for enhanced geriatric rehabilitation.

Summary:

• Geriatric rehabilitation's value should be measured by cost-effectiveness, not solely by effectiveness.
• The current mandatory nursing insurance system in Germany presents financial challenges for families, nursing homes, and health funds, potentially lowering rehabilitation standards.
• Transferring rehabilitation funding from health to nursing funds is suggested as a viable solution.

Impact:

• This analysis highlights the need for financial restructuring to optimize geriatric rehabilitation.
• Proposed changes could lead to improved quality and accessibility of geriatric rehabilitation services.
• Addressing cost-effectiveness is crucial for the long-term sustainability and importance of geriatric rehabilitation amidst demographic shifts.