Can home-based rehabilitation services facilitate rehabilitation transition from hospital to community?

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the overload of the health care system and the heavy burden on caregivers urge the revisit of the local community rehabilitation services. Owing to the ageing population, high demand for hospital beds inevitably leads to early discharge of patients. Post-discharge rehabilitation services thus become exceptionally important to older patients. The transition period from hospital to home is critical for rehabilitation, as it affects patient recovery and adjustment to daily activities and quality of life.1 In addition, the stress of caregivers should not be overlooked. For instance, in 2017 an old man killed his wife, who had physical deconditioning at home, because of stress from prolonged caregiving.2 To prevent such tragedies, rehabilitation services should provide caregiver support such as skill training and referral to social services. However, there are gaps in the existing subsidised rehabilitation services for the older people in Hong Kong.