Behavioral Improvement in Long‐Term Geriatric Patients during an Age‐Integrated Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program*

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Abstract
The effects of a psychosocial rehabilitative program on the behavioral functioning of elderly chronically ill patients were studied. High school students served as remotivation and socialization therapists in a supervised structured process designed to improve the quality of life for the participating nursing-home residents. The participants were 12 long-term patients whose ages ranged from 62-99 yr (mean, 73.2 yr). The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by means of the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a questionnaire designed to assess the effect of a physical illness on daily activities, psychosocial skills and mental status. The rehabilitative program had a significant impact on several dimensions of the lives of the participants. As a consequence of the interaction with the students, there was an increase in social interaction, a reduction in daytime sleeping and an increase in mobility. The successful use of remotivation techniques to areas of overt behavioral functioning not previously assessed were discussed.

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