title: Experience of a self-care unit as part of a hospital-based rehabilitation service.
abstract: The nature, advantages and disadvantages, and cost of a hospital-based self-care unit as part of a rehabilitation service are described. The unit's operational policy is critically examined after analysing the records of 40 patients admitted consecutively over a 2-year period and conducting interviews with 27 patients between 4 and 48 weeks after discharge. It is concluded that, compared with a hospital ward, a self-care unit is inexpensive to run and helps to prevent patients from giving up their homes and being admitted to residential homes prematurely. In addition to an assessment and confidence-building role, the unit provides a more appropriate and acceptable environment for patients waiting housing alteration or rehousing than a hospital ward.
authors.affiliation: Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby, England, UK.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Murray-Leslie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oakley-Roberts
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D012649:Self Concept; D012654:Self-Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires