FACTORS AFFECTING THE OUTCOMES OF HOSPITALIZED DEMENTIA PATIENTS - FROM HOME TO HOSPITAL TO DISCHARGE

This study examined factors associated with willingness to continue in the caregiving role after the hospitalization of a relative with dementia. Interviews were conducted with 179 caregivers of hospitalized patients to determine the influences of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in the discharge decision. Logistic regression was used to identify variables predictive of caregivers taking patients home for those who were originally planning on doing so and for those who were originally undecided. For the first group, only a prolonged hospital stay significantly influenced the discharge disposition. The undecided caregivers were likely to seek placement for patients with more severe cognitive impairment, although having formal assistance with specific tasks increased the probability of a discharge home.