A new study led by Dr Seema Radhakrishnan has explored how nursing students can help support rehabilitation care for older hospital patients, highlighting benefits for patients, staff and healthcare services.
Older people admitted to rehabilitation wards often spend long periods inactive during hospital stays, which can contribute to physical deconditioning, delayed recovery and longer admissions. Supported by a 2023 Seed Grant from the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, the study evaluated the “Boost 2.0” program, where preregistration nursing students supported older rehabilitation patients to engage in additional functional and therapeutic activities throughout the day.
The study found the program was largely well received by staff, students, patients and carers. Reported benefits included increased opportunities for exercise and mobility, improved patient engagement, enhanced learning experiences for nursing students, and support for quicker hospital discharge planning. However, the research also identified barriers to implementation, including the need for stronger supervision models and more education for nursing students in geriatric rehabilitation settings.
“Older rehabilitation patients benefit from regular movement and engagement throughout the day, but workforce pressures can make this difficult to deliver consistently,” says lead author Dr Seema Radhakrishnan. “Our findings show that nursing students can play a valuable role in supporting rehabilitation while also building important skills in caring for older people.”
“These findings highlight the potential of innovative workforce models to support rehabilitation outcomes for ageing populations and strengthen geriatric care capacity within hospitals.”