FACTORS PREDICTING LIVING AT HOME AFTER-D ISCHARGE FROM AN ACUTE GERIATRIC CLINIC

This article presents the predictors for living at home 3 months, 6 mo nths, 12 months, and 24 months after hospitalization in a geriatric cl inic. The multivariate regression analysis revealed the predictive fac tors for living at home after 3 months: Incontinence, functional statu s judged by the physician, and balance performance. For living at home at 6 months, balance performance, handgrip were predictive, and at 12 months, balance performance, physicians judgement of functional abili ties and Barthel-Index had the most predictive value. The only factor that was recognized to be predictive for living at home at 24 months w as the physician's judgement of the functional abilities of the patien t. It is concluded that the functional status measured by observation but preferably by performance is of predictive value for living at hom e from 6 months to 12 months after acute hospitalization.