Health Trajectories of Skilled Nursing Facility Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Evidence for Practicing Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: Older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are at high risk for acute medical problems and their health trajectories frequently include hospital admission and care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Their health trajectories after SNF discharge are poorly understood. Therefore, in the current study, we sought to describe health trajectories and factors associated with hospital read-missions for older adults with ADRD during the 30 days following SNF discharge. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of transitional care of older adults with transitions from SNF to home and assisted living. A multiple case study design was used in the analysis of the health trajectories of 49 SNF patients with ADRD, 51% discharged from SNF to their own home, 34% discharged to a family member's home, and 15% transferred to assisted living. Results: Within 30 days of discharge, 20% of patients with ADRD experienced new or recurrent acute needs and hospital readmission. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the need for nursing interventions to support patients with ADRD during care transitions, such as focusing care on the patient–caregiver dyad, providing transitional care, referring patients for palliative care consultation, and conducting nurse-led research to improve care transitions of these patients and their caregivers. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50 (4), 34–41.]