[Complex geriatric rehabilitation therapy]

Abstract

Older adults who are hospitalized for an acute illness or injury are at high risk for functional decline and other negative long-term outcomes, such as the need for long-term care and higher mortality rates. To address this need, acute geriatric units have been established to treat these patients as part of comprehensive geriatric care. In Germany, comprehensive geriatric care is referred to as complex geriatric rehabilitation therapy and classified under the Operation and Procedure Classification System (OPS) 8-550. It combines acute medical treatment with rehabilitative therapies. It involves a multidisciplinary team working together to develop individualized treatment plans to improve the patient's physical, mental, and social functioning. Treatment can often lead to an increase in functional independence, allowing older people to participate in daily life. This article outlines the aims and characteristics of the treatment and how it differs from geriatric rehabilitation without the need for acute medical treatment.