title: The assessment of disability in patients on an acute medical ward for elderly people.
abstract: The level of independence in self-care was monitored weekly in 212 patients admitted over 6 months to an acute medical ward for elderly people, and documented on discharge using a standard assessment, the Barthel Index. At discharge from the admitting ward, 39% of patients were independent (Barthel score of 20), 36% were mildly dependent (Barthel 15-19), 15% were moderately dependent (Barthel 10-14), 4% severely dependent (Barthel 5-9) and 6% very severely dependent (Barthel 0-4). Approximately 80% were able to transfer, walk, were continent of urine and could wash their top half, but one-third were unable to dress or use the toilet independently. Over half were unable to bath themselves or climb stairs unaided. It is feasible to assess disability in a busy acute service this way. Information can be provided both to community services on discharge of individual patients, and to managers responsible for planning services for elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Free Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chrisostomou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vessey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Horwood
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000145:classification; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012648:Self Care