Madhuri Reddy, MD, Associate Editor, Geriatrics & Aging.
In order to effectively plan future long-term care (LTC) environments, it is important to ascertain the natural history of clients once placed in these environments. What, for instance, are the predictors of client mortality and the probability of a change in function, either to improve or deteriorate, once placed in a certain level of care? Environments need to be flexible and, most of all, promote independence and an enhanced quality of life.
Changes in Care Requirements Over Time
It is well established that the functional status of many nursing home (NH) clients improves after NH placement or after transitions between different levels of care. Some aspects of functional status (hygiene, dressing, grooming and transferring), as well as depressed mood, are likely to improve shortly after NH admission.1 One study of over 9,500 elderly clients admitted to a NH for at least 100 days found that 51.5% experienced a change in function during the first 90 days. This change usually represented an improvement rather than a decline. In fact, thirty-seven percent of this long-stay client sample was able to return home.2
Predictors of Mortality
Several studies have indicated that predictors of mortality in the elderly are increased age, male sex, poor physical status, poor social supports and poor cognitive functioning.3,4,5 Few studies, however, have investigated the predictors of mortality specific to the NH population.
