Application of the Integrated Medical-Care-Rehabilitation Nursing Model in Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases

Objective: To explore the connotation of the integrated medical-care-rehabilitation nursing model and its application effect in elderly patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A total of 122 elderly patients with chronic diseases admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group (62 cases) and a control group (60 cases). Both groups received routine nursing during hospitalization. After discharge, the control group received conventional continuous nursing, while the observation group was given the integrated medical-care-rehabilitation nursing model. The psychological status of the elderly patients in the two groups was compared before nursing and 6 months after nursing. Assessments were made on their clinical symptoms of mental health, self-care ability, health behaviors, and mastery of knowledge about elderly chronic diseases. Results: Six months after nursing, the scores of self-rated clinical symptoms of mental health and negative coping in both groups were lower than those before nursing (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the scores of negative coping, self-care ability, and health behaviors in both groups were higher than those before nursing (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The integrated medical-care-rehabilitation nursing model can not only improve the nursing quality for elderly patients with chronic diseases but also foster their positive mentality, help them understand knowledge about diet and health care related to chronic diseases, enhance their self-care ability and health awareness, and assist them in achieving better recovery [1].