Older patients respond better to geriatric units

Older patients who are cared for in specialist geriatric units respond better to treatment and have a better chance of remaining mobile, research claims.

A report published on bmj.com today found those treated in the specialist centres had a better chance of returning home after discharge and were more likely to be able to carry out usual daily activities, such as dressing and eating.

Researchers compared care provided in acute geriatric units (AGUs) run by specialist elderly care teams with conventional hospital units.

They found AGU therapy reduced functional decline – the ability to carry out usual daily activities – at discharge and increased the probability of returning and remaining at home three months after leaving the medical buildings.

The authors suggest that the effectiveness of AGU care may be down to comprehensive geriatric assessment, care by specialised multidisciplinary teams and the focus on early discharge planning.

However, they also add more studies are needed to evaluate whether these benefits are maintained in the long term.