Conditions for rehabilitation of older patients with dementia and hip fracture - the perspective of their next of kin

The aim of this study was to describe the conditions for rehabilitation of older patients with dementia and hip fracture from the perspective of their next of kin. Twenty patients at orthopaedic wards were examined postfracture using a short cognitive test. The same number of next of kin answered four open-ended questions about rehabilitation as well as about the patient's physical function. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify categories. The findings indicate that the conditions for rehabilitation of older patients with dementia and hip fracture are related to the patients' competence, specific needs of support in the light of competence, environmental factors and classification of the rehabilitation activities. The study confirms that the conditions for rehabilitation are related to symptoms of dementia disease and arise from a decline in competence making the patient unable to cope with the environmental pressure and to perform rehabilitation activities. Because of difficulties in assessing competence, patients with dementia are being judged as incapable of managing rehabilitation. A supportive strategy is necessary to encourage the recovery process.