The epidemiology of acute and critical illness in older adults.
The world and US population continues to increase with an extended lifespan. Disability rates in older adults have not changed, however; they are living longer with disabilities that affect quality of life and complicate acute and critical illness. Because increasing numbers of older adults will live with disabilities and chronic disease, new strategies are needed to improve both quality of life and end-of-life decision making.
Technology-Based Learning, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 101 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA. Electronic address: Linda.bell@aacn.org.
Linda
L
Bell
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life
Acute; Critical care; Mortality; Older adult; Transitions