Associations Between Subacute Rehabilitation Experiences and Transitions into Long-Term Care

ABSTRACT

Various characteristics and circumstances lead older adults in the community to transition into long-term care homes (LTCHs). Family caregivers often provide support, resources, and encouragement to older adults during the transition into a LTCH. Therefore, this study aimed to explore family caregiver perceptions of older adults’ sub-acute rehabilitation experiences that may associate with older adults’ transitions into LTCHs. A descriptive survey resulted in understanding circumstances that led to older adults’ transitions into the LTCH, and older adults with sub-acute rehabilitation experiences were positively associated with being more independently able to integrate into the LTCH. Future research directions and practical implications for healthcare professionals are further discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• older adults
• transitions
• transitional care
• long-term care
• sub-acute rehabilitation
• post-acute rehabilitation
• family caregivers

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the family caregivers who shared their perspectives about older adults’ transitions into long-term care homes.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.