Centre for Policy on Ageing



The impact of deinstitutionalization on the seriously and persistently mentally ill elderly — a one-year follow-up
Author(s)	Mary Elizabeth Rauktis
Journal title	Journal of Mental Health and Aging, vol 7, no 3, Fall 2001
Pages	pp 335-348
Keywords	Psychogeriatric patients ; Discharge [hospitals] ; Living in the community ; Longitudinal surveys ; United States of America.
Annotation	A number of methods are used to report on 12-month outcomes for a cohort of 41 geriatric patients discharged into community placements. Mortality, functional and psychiatric status, patient satisfaction were examined, along with the pattern of critical incidents. Although the research suggests that these patients are at risk for poor outcomes, significant improvements were observed in the global level of functioning and in the patient's ability to interact socially and to concentrate. Analysis of critical incidents suggests that older patients are likely to experience physical accidents and periods of confusion in the first 6 months following discharge. Interviews with patients revealed that home and family were a powerful reference point from which they judged their community residence. Older patients' needs and strengths should be assessed prior to discharge, and followed up in community placements. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-020114216 A
Classmark	LF:E: LD:QKJ: K4: 3J: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.