Understanding the Needs of Geriatric Rehabilitation Care

Background: With the increasing age, the body undergoes several physical and psychiatric changes; it is important to address the healthcare management apprehensions among the elderly and promote geriatric rehabilitation care both socially and economically. Objective: To evaluate the need for rehabilitation amongthe geriatric population living in Pakistan. Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from 1st January 2020 to 30th June 2020 Methodology: One hundred and three geriatric subjects aged between 65 to 90 years were enrolled. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to obtain information regarding home care and geriatric rehabilitation care. Results: Sixty (58.2%) were females and 43 (41.7%) were males. The majority were <80 years of age, 82 (79.6%). Around 52 (50.5%) subjects knew about rehabilitation care and most believed that geriatric rehabilitation care is beneficial. Sixty four (62.1%) subjects were involved in socialization once a week, 29 (28.2%) once in a month, 6 (5.8%) biannually and 4 (3.9%) marked not at all. Among all, 41% reported being isolated, and 86% were getting enough psychiatric/physical care at home. Conclusion: Although 52 (50.5%) of the study subjects reported knowing geriatric rehabilitation care, due to limited resources and economic constraints in Pakistan, we have been unable to set up centers to rehabilitate the elderly. There is a need to design and conduct rehabilitation programs to control morbidity and improve the quality of the geriatric population. Keywords: Geriatric rehabilitation care (GRC), Home care, Geriatric population