Article

The objectives of the present study were to assess the complexity and
multidimensionality of rehabilitation needs of very old stroke patients aged >/=
80 years and report how rehabilitation interventions are customized to meet the
complex needs of patients at a hospital with a majority of old patients. METHODS:
The complex problems faced by 18 post-stroke patients (age, range: 80-92 years)
were characterized in terms of the following multiple dimensions: (1) clinical
features, (2) functional (motor/cognitive) impairment features, (3) psychological
aspects, and (4) environmental aspects. We then evaluated the rehabilitation
interventions designed to address the problems identified in these different
dimensions in detail. RESULTS: The needs of very old stroke patients were
extremely complex and unique. To cope with this complexity, rehabilitation
interventions were customized in a flexible manner, considering the different
dimensions of the needs of these patients. Although the interventions were
customized, the complex problems experienced by patients could be divided into
stroke conditions on the basis of some invariant patterns in rehabilitation
intervention. CONCLUSIONS:
We obtained empirical data that illustrated the
necessity of considering not only clinical features, but also multiple dimensions
of problems faced by very old stroke patients during rehabilitation
interventions.

Langue : ANGLAIS