title: Predicting functional decline of older men living in veteran homes by minimum data set: implications for disability prevention programs in long term care settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the risk and protective factors for functional decline of veteran home residents in Taiwan to develop disability prevention programs in long term care settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two veteran homes in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1045 residents of veteran homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimum data set (MDS), resident assessment protocols (RAP), MDS-COGS, Resource Utilization Group-III Activities of Daily Living scale, MDS Social engagement scale, MDS Pain scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1045 (83.0 ± 5.1 years, all men) residents completed the study, and 11.3% of them developed significant functional decline during the study period. Participants with long-term institutionalization history (odds ratio [OR] 2.966, confidence interval [CI] 1.270-6.927), underlying cerebrovascular disease (OR 4.432, CI 1.994-9.852) and dementia (OR 2.150, CI 1.029-4.504), and higher sum of RAP triggers (OR 1.366, CI 1.230-1.517) were more likely to develop functional decline, whereas those who had better social engagement were significantly protective from functional decline (OR 0.528, CI 0.399-0.697).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cerebrovascular disease, dementia, higher sum of RAP triggers, and long-term institutionalization were independent risk factors for functional decline, whereas better social engagement had a protective effect on functional dependence. Further study is needed to develop an integrated disability prevention program based on the discoveries of this study.
authors.affiliation: Aging and Health Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Liang-Yu
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Kuo
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chien-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li-Ning
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ming-Hsien
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Liang-Kung
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chung-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Po-Lun
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*