THE DIAGNOSTIC HOME VISIT IN THE CONTEXT OF HOSPITAL-BASED GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT

The value of a diagnostic home visit as part of hospital-based geriatr ic assessment was examined in a prospective study. 141 subjects admitt ed from home to the geriatric hospital and showing functional decline with risk of nursing home placement underwent a comprehensive geriatri c assessment and a diagnostic home visit. In 19.1 % of the patients, t he diagnostic visit resulted in a change of time, and in 14.9 % in a c hange of location of discharge. Up to seven problems were newly discov ered (mean 2.1). To maintain independence up to six technical aids wer e prescribed (mean 2.3). The most common recommendations were related to safety (59.2 % of all cases). In 89.3 % the diagnostic home visit w as judged necessary by the home intervention team. A follow-up visit a fter 3 months revealed that about 80 % of all recommendations were imp lemented and approximately the same amount of technical aids were stil l used. The diagnostic home visit allows individual prescription of te chnical aids, when necessary. It contributes meaningful information to the geriatric assessment process and helps to achieve successful in-h ospital therapy and discharge planning. It can be recommended especial ly for elderly patients at risk for losing their independence.