Promoting Positive Outcomes for Elderly Persons in the Hospital: Prevention and Risk Factor Modification

Abstract

The hospitalized elderly are at an increased risk for poor outcomes such as increased length of stay, readmissions, functional decline, and iatrogenic complications, as compared with other age groups. Research related to the hospitalized elderly has identified factors associated with poor outcomes. Nurses and other healthcare team members may be able to identify elderly patients at risk for poor outcomes and target modifiable factors to minimize their negative impact. Clinical experience and research validate the conclusion that multidimensional, preventive risk factor modification balanced with acute illness treatment can result in positive outcomes for elderly patients.

The importance of relational coordination for integrated care delivery to older patients in the hospital

“…If acute care is not designed to address the functional needs, psychosocial issues and altered response of these patients to illness and treatment (Hart et al . , Moyle et al . ), older patients are at significant risk for hospital‐acquired complications and loss of functionality.…”

A framework for understanding outcomes of integrated care programs for the hospitalized elderly

“…The complex needs of older patients ask for the coordination of health and social care with related services delivered by multiple providers [7]. Hospital care that does not address the functional needs, psychosocial issues and altered response of older patients to illness and treatment [8,9], puts older patients at risk of receiving fragmented or poor-quality care [10,11]. Recognition of the shortcoming has led to the new strategies of care delivery such as integrated care programmes [12], which are expected to resolve many problems surrounding elderly care.…”

Practices Used in Israel by Nurses Who Care During Hospitalization for Older Patients With Dementia or Who are Bedridden

“…63 In order to achieve good practice standards of care for patients with dementia, there is a need for specific care for these people to be combined with acute care practices. 64 There is growing evidence-based knowledge on effective practices in meeting the needs of these patients in acute care settings that should be implemented. These include aspects such as environment planning, communication, assessment, and care approaches by multidisciplinary teams, which should include family caregivers.…”