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Quality of Life and Rehabilitation of Elderly Dialysis Patients
Author(s) -
Kutner Nancy G.,
Jassal Sarbjit V.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
seminars in dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-139X
pISSN - 0894-0959
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-139x.2002.00034.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , dialysis , rehabilitation , quality of life (healthcare) , intensive care medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , nursing
Chronologic age per se does not measure the ability of an individual to benefit from dialysis. Elderly patients gain added lifetime on dialysis that is satisfying, and elderly patients as a group often show better psychosocial adjustment to dialysis than do younger patients. However, the limitations in physical functioning that characterize chronic dialysis patients increase with patient age. The clinical challenge is to identify factors that contribute to patients' compromised functioning and to arrange targeted supportive services. An integrated comprehensive program can address elderly dialysis patients' multiple care needs. Strategies that improve outcomes by reducing the risks of elderly persons for increased disability, assisting them to function in their usual environment whenever possible, can also have benefits.