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Abstract
Purpose. To identify factors contributing to reduced quality of life and increased caregiver strain in an older population referred to a community rehabilitation team and to recommend service delivery models.
Methods. Analytical cross-sectional study arising from baseline assessments from 107 subjects drawn from a randomised controlled trial of community rehabilitation service delivery models.
Setting. A community rehabilitation team based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Measures. Primary outcome variables include quality of life (EQ-5D & VAS) and Carer Strain Index. Predictor variables include participation in functional activities, history of falls, number of medications, number of co-morbidities, depression, environmental hazards, physical function and nutrition. Association between variables assessed using linear regression.
Results. Major factors contributing to reduced quality of life were having reduced participation in daily activities, depression, and having poor vision. Having poor nutrition and no longer driving also contributed to poor quality of life. The major factor contributing to increased caregiver strain was reduced participation in daily activities by the older person.
Conclusions. Community rehabilitation services working with older populations must adopt models of care that screen for and address a wide range of factors that contribute to poor quality of life and caregiver strain.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the staff of the Community Rehabilitation Service in Metro South Hospital Health District for all the assistance and dedication in the data collection for this article. Additionally, they acknowledge the leadership and guidance from Susan Brandis, Gail Gordon and Carmel Perrett in their role as District Directors of Allied Health.
Declaration of interest: This research was funded through Queensland Health research grants, namely the Community Rehabilitation Workforce Project and the Allied Health research grants.