Functional decline in hospitalized elders: preventive nursing measures.
Functional status in older adults admitted to hospitals is a major predictor of outcomes. Functional decline, which is complex and multifactorial in cause, is a common complication of hospital stays. Many factors contributing to functional decline are preventable and treatable by proper nursing. Advanced practice nurses have an important, multifaceted role to play in resolving this geriatric problem.
St Pierre
J
J
Outcomes Evaluation and Nursing Education, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0460, USA.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors