The Elderly in Intensive Care

Rehabilitation Concerns in the Geriatric Critically Ill and Injured - Part 1

“…Also, sensory disturbances can present challenges to participation in rehabilitation leading to functional recovery. 3,14 There are also age-related changes in the endocrine system that can lead to alterations in stress responses and declines in functional capacity. 2,3,15 These changes likely contribute to the development of sarcopenia and frailty.…”

“…Baseline functional status of patients can be a determining factor in the ability to survive and/or to reach preacute illness baseline function. 14 In a study evaluating ICU discharges for patients older than 75 years, short-term mortality correlated to the severity of the acute illness and long-term mortality to the preadmission cognitive status, functional status, and number of comorbidities. In the study, one-third of patients had moderate-to-severe disability requiring significant family support on discharge.…”

“…These tools can also serve as triggers for involving palliative care services and facilitating goal of care discussions with patients and families when prognosis is poor or goals cannot be met. 14 The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) was developed by Anderson and Downing in 1996. It is a modification of the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) used to assess a patient's functional performance and to determine progression toward end of life.…”