Functional status in older women following hip fracture

Abstract

Results suggest that achieving a functional level that will support independence is possible for older women who were residing independently prior to a hip fracture.

A cost‐effectiveness study of a patient‐centred integrated care pathway

“…For this purpose, the ADL index was used as a tool to assign patients either to a low‐dependent group, ADL levels A–C, or a high‐dependent group, ADL levels D–G (Table 4). The basis for this reasoning was that low‐dependent patients have a limited need for support and thus could continue recuperating in their own homes, assisted by community home help or a significant other (Robinson 1999, Curry‐Cox et al. 2003).…”

Maintaining femoral bone density in adults: how many steps per day are enough?

“…The application of the BDI suggests a weight and speed sensitivity of walking interventions for osteoporosis. In the context of high-risk persons (e.g., low BW), the necessary steps per day to maintain BMD can be substantially greater than the often quoted value of 10,000 steps/day [3] for most walking speeds and may be an unreasonable goal for some individuals. Future research should explore interventions to safely increase the GRF magnitudes during everyday activities, which may provide significant benefit for healthy skeletal aging.…”

“…Osteoporosis is a major health concern for older adults [1][2][3][4]. Activity modifying interventions to increase the cumulative mechanical loading to the skeleton have received significant attention as a potential means for increasing bone mass.…”

Maintaining independence after a fall

“…29 Most of the available literature describing interventions to restore functional independence consists of trials that have recruited hip fracture patients. Hip fractures are perhaps the most deleterious of the common fall-related injuries among older people and thus efforts to improve outcomes among this population have been the most prolific.…”

“…26 However, for those who do not regain competence in basic activities of daily living, bathing is the activity most likely to require assistance. 29 Interventions may directly affect capacity for independence by restoring functional ability through physical rehabilitation. Alternatively, interventions may be aimed at reducing the likelihood of subsequent disability through providing clinical assessment, educational advice and services to prevent further falls.…”