Effects of Hospitalization on Elderly
A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that those elderly defined as age 65 and over, admitted to a hospital for a critical condition such as severe infection or cardiac illness demonstrated a significant decline in cognition when compared to those who were not hospitalized.
Elderly persons hospitalized for a non-critical illness also demonstrated a statistically increased risk for development of dementia after the hospitalization when compared to those not hospitalized.
Researchers suggest that some of the cognitive decline could be attributed to the medical condition itself, but side effects from hospitalization also played a role. Hospital settings can be traumatic with an acute change in environment, clinical surroundings, noises, hurried tempo, and lack of control. To their credit, many leaders of hospitals have moved to hospitality for making acute care facilities more comfortable for the consumer. This can be particularly valuable to the older patient who arrives with both physical and emotional vulnerability.
These findings illustrate the importance of keeping seniors at home as much as possible. Let Rehab Home Health help keep you or your loved one at home with our Home Health and/or Private Duty Services.
