PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - D. Robertson
AU  - L. W. Christ
AU  - L. J. Stalder
TI  - Geriatric assessment unit in a teaching hospital
DP  - 1982 May 01
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 1060--1064
VI  - 126
IP  - 9
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/126/9/1060.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/126/9/1060.full
SO  - CMAJ1982 May 01; 126
AB  - A geriatric assessment unit has been in operation in a Canadian teaching hospital since October 1979. In the first 15 months of operation there were 203 admissions involving 153 persons aged 65 years or older, many of whom were impaired both physically and mentally.In many cases these patients could be discharged back to the community following assessment and rehabilitation. Only a few had to be placed immediately in extended care facilities. The mean stay in the unit was less than 3 weeks. There was a mortality of 3% among patients in the unit. For older persons who present with complex health problems a geriatric assessment unit provides an environment for comprehensive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. A thorough assessment at, or preferably before, the point at which their health breaks down enables older people to return to and remain in the community and helps to prevent them from being admitted to an institution while they are still able to function with reasonable independence.