Previous in-home physiotherapy prevents institutionalization after short-term hospitalization in community-dwelling older dependent people

International audienceAims Short-term hospitalization of community-dwelling older dependent people in a geriatric acute care unit is sometimes needed to treat an acute health problem. Serious loss of independence can lead to difficulties in maintaining home care and is followed, at hospital discharge, to institutionalization in a long-term care home. We investigated the variables, particularly those related to the paramedical staff at home, predicting a return home or an institutionalization at hospital discharge.Methods Retrospective observational study of 398 sixty and more year-old patients, living at home, having a natural caregiver, and hospitalized in an acute care unit of the State Geriatric Center.Results 289 (72.6%) patients returned home, 101 (25.3%) were admitted in a long-term care home, and 8 (2%) died. Independent predictors of institutionalization were length of stay in the acute care unit [adjusted OR (AOR)=1.102, P