Hospital-associated functional decline in older adults

Hospital admissions can expose older adults to a spectrum of avoidable and costly harms. Not least of these is hospital-associated functional decline, defined as a loss of independence, from admission to discharge, in one or more activities of daily living (ADLs) e.g. bathing, dressing, transfers. This loss of independence has significant impacts, including an increased risk of acute re-admission, premature admission to residential aged care, and mortality. The aim of this project is to 1. Determine the economic cost and consequences of hospital-associated functional decline; 2. Understand the evidence for interventions that can prevent hospital-associated functional decline; and 3. Update clinical practice guidelines on minimising hospital-associated functional decline.