Rehabilitation professionals in acute-care encounter individuals with dementia who reside in home, assisted-living, or long-term care prior to admission. Direct therapist roles may be limited to consultations, assessments, and/or swallowing, mobility, and self-cares. Case management typically falls upon social workers and nurse case-managers but the entire rehab team has a role in supporting safety while the individual is in acute-care. Hospital cognitive-status is likely much different than status in typical living environment and further complicated following admissions for falls, infections, dehydration, malnutrition, and medication management. We will discuss factors that contribute to making decisions about our roles in assessment and management.
