Physical rehabilitation of the elderly blind patient.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the policy of admitting elderly blind patients with motor impairments for physical rehabilitation.


METHODS
retrospective chart review for comparisons between blind and visually intact patients with similar diagnoses.


METHODS
geriatric rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
all patients with stroke, fractured hip, and lower limb amputation.


METHODS
none.


METHODS
walking ability and functional performance (ADL), using the Barthel Index.


RESULTS
overall outcome in blind patients was only slightly less favourable than in the visually intact, although, in comparison with premorbid status, only just over half were ambulatory at discharge and functional independence was less common.


CONCLUSIONS
elderly blind patients with motor impairments should be offered a trial by physical rehabilitation.
Pillar
T
T
Flieman Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital, Haifa, Israel.
Gaspar
E
E
Dickstein
R
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001766:Blindness / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies