Current Status of Inpatient Rehabilitation for Elderly Cancer Patients: A Single Institution-based Retrospective Study

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the current status of rehabilitation for elderly cancer patients admitted to the study facility. [Participants and Methods] A total of 109 inpatients aged 65 or older, treated with oncology rehabilitation, were included to collect information mainly on primary lesions and the details of rehabilitation from their medical records. [Results] The rates of patients with primary lesions in the digestive and respiratory systems, those at the palliative care phase, and those living with other family members were high. They had received rehabilitation until immediately before discharge and 92% had maintained their physical/mental functions throughout hospitalization. As for the details of rehabilitation, more than 80% of all patients received gait and bed-to/from-wheelchair transfer trainings during physical therapy, range-of-motion and bed-to/from-wheelchair transfer trainings during occupational therapy, and eating, swallowing, and communication trainings during speech-language-hearing therapy. [Conclusion] In inpatient rehabilitation for elderly cancer patients, interventions to maintain their physical/mental functions throughout hospitalization, focusing on their lives after discharge, are required.