Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses' Association

The study aimed to investigate whether in-reach rehabilitation was beneficial for people over 65 years of age with a known or suspected cognitive impairment. In-reach rehabilitation is provided by  specialist multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams in  acute hospital settings. This approach facilitates early rehabilitation for patients that also require  specialist medical or surgical care.

Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores of people identified as having a known or suspected cognitive impairment were analysed to ascertain whether participants were able to make functional improvements. Motor FIM scores were used as an indicator of improvements as the in-reach program does not offer formal cognitive rehabilitation. Analysis of the data shows that people with a cognitive impairment benefit from in-reach rehabilitation as evidenced by improved motor FIM scores at the completion of the rehabilitation program.

This study has highlighted that in-reach rehabilitation should be offered to people recovering from illness, injury, or living with chronic conditions, irrespective of cognitive impairment as this study demonstrated an improvement in motor FIM scores. Further study is required to establish whether these findings apply to a larger cohort, or whether there are specific rehabilitation approaches, strategies or components that may have an increased beneficial effect. It would also be beneficial to  further study and analyse data to determine whether there is a “magic number”/score on the screening tools that would guide the inclusion or exclusion of people with cognitive impairment, or ways in which programs may be modified to maximise the benefits of in-reach rehabilitation programs for those people over 65 years of age,  with actual or potential cognitive impairments.

Ageism, the stereotyping, bias or discrimination of an individual based on their age, has been the subject of much debate in both academic and public circles in recent times. It is essential to recognise that ageism is not just a local or regional issue but a global concern that affects us all. This article aims to provide a discussion of ageism from various perspectives, with a focus on stereotypes, bias, health care and the implications for rehabilitation nursing practice.

Furthermore, this article will examine ageism and the potential consequences of recognising and dismissing it. A nuanced understanding that goes beyond superficial awareness is crucial for addressing age-related disparities and promoting a more inclusive culture that builds rather than impedes patients’ resilience during rehabilitation. The critical issue of ageism requires targeted interventions and acknowledgment from rehabilitation nursing professionals. This article seeks to contribute to the scholarly discussion of hidden age-based discrimination and its effects on contemporary society, particularly in the field of rehabilitation.

Background Throughout life, many older people have encountered traumatic experiences such as institutionalisation, war, natural disaster or abuse. These experiences deleteriously impact well-being and intensify in later life. Trauma-informed care (TIC) has demonstrated benefits in mental health care, yet it remains underutilised in geriatric care. Integrating TIC through recognising trauma and prioritising empathetic and safe care can enhance the overall quality of life.

Aim To identify the benefits of incorporating TIC approaches for geriatric patients through a narrative review.

Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and Scopus. Search terms included ‘trauma-informed care’, ‘older adult’, ‘older patient’, ‘senior’, ‘elderly patient’ and ‘geriatric’. Boolean operators, subject headings, keywords and the ‘cite forward’ function in Scopus were applied to filter contemporary studies. This narrative review synthesises recent Australian and international studies of TIC outcomes in older patient care.

Results Evidence highlights that TIC augments patient safety, minimises distress, prevents re-traumatisation, and improves care engagement. TIC fosters better communication between healthcare professionals and older patients, particularly those with significant trauma exposure. Following TIC implementation, staff reported reduced burnout and increased work satisfaction. Organisational benefits included improved quality indicators and compliance with TIC protocols.

Conclusion TIC supports trust, safety and dignity for older people and greatly benefits staff and organisations. System-wide integration of TIC is pivotal in achieving maximum outcomes.