An examination of depression, self-transcendence, perceived health, and functional status among male veterans in a geriatric rehabilitation program

Abstract

Until recently, intensive rehabilitative services were rarely offered to the elderly or those with significant comorbidities. However, the salience of geriatric rehabilitation programs has increased in this the "century of old age" (Butler, 1991 ). This study, a secondary data analysis, evaluated the outcomes of one such program on three identified variables of depression, self-transcendence, and perceived health and explored the relationships of those variables and social support as predictors of functional status, the traditional marker of rehabilitative success. Sixty-four veterans were evaluated before and after a program of geriatric rehabilitation. Results indicated a significant increase in functional status and perceived health. Consistent with previous studies, the degree of functional status on admission to the program was the only significant predictor of discharge functional status. These findings support the utility of geriatric rehabilitation programs in increasing functional status in the elderly.