Author: Bellantonia S, Kenny A M, Fortinsky R H, Kleppinger A, Robison J, Gruman C, Kulldorff M, Trella P M
Journal: Journal of the American Geriatric Society (JAGS), 2008
Volume/pages: Vol 56, pp523-528

About the study
This US study reports on a randomised trial of the impact of multi-disciplinary team intervention on unanticipated transitions from assisted living for older people with dementia. The team included a geriatrician, a specialist nurse, a physiotherapist, a dietician and a social worker. They carried out four multi-disciplinary assessments during the first nine months of the patient’s moving into assisted living.

Findings
The authors found that the most common reason for an unanticipated transition was falls. Although the multi-disciplinary team intervention did reduce the risk of unanticipated transition it was not to a statistically significant degree. They also found that men were at greater risk of unanticipated transition than women.

Key messages

• Untargeted multi-disciplinary team intervention did not significantly reduce the risk of transition.
• Early targeted intervention for those at risk of falls and men may help prevent unanticipated transitions.
• Greater primary care involvement in the multi-disciplinary team may have improved outcomes for participants in the trial.