[A comparative study of the physical conditions of elderly people with care needs receiving rehabilitation services from a nurse or a physiotherapist from a visiting nurse service station].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of rehabilitation by a nurse, comparing the attributes of utilization of care services and physical conditions of elderly people receiving rehabilitation services from a nurse or a physiotherapist.


METHODS
Two hundred and fifty four care receivers at the Saiseikai visiting nurse service station, Shiga Prefecture, were interviewed by a nurse or a physiotherapist. They were divided into two groups: 1) receivers of rehabilitation services by a nurse (RRSN group), and 2) receivers of rehabilitation services by a physiotherapist (RRSP group). The subjects were matched for gender and age, and 36 participants for each of the two groups were included in the analysis. Level of dementia, activities of daily living (ADL; Barthel Index), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and use of visiting services were assessed in the interview. Analysis of variance and the chi2 test were used to compare values for the two groups.


RESULTS
Level of dementia in the RRSN group was significantly severe than in the RRSP group (P<0.05). The number of patients who are required to be treated with visiting medical services was significantly more in the RRSN group (P<0.05). Physical status in the RRSN group was significantly lower for ADL, GCS than in the RRSP group. IADL of males in the RRSN group was significantly lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, we conclude that it is important for nurses to make opportunities to visit elderly people with physiotherapists to assess their physical conditions.
Matsuda
Akiko
A
Tottori University Faculty of Medicine Department of Health Science, Division of Fundamental Nursing.
Kunori
Miwako
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities