Functional decline in hospitalized older adults.

In older adults who are hospitalized, functional decline can occur in a matter of days. This devastating outcome is a common result of the older adult's "cascade to dependency," in which normal aging changes--combined with bed rest or immobility--result in irreversible physiologic changes, poor outcomes at discharge, and for many, placement in a nursing home. Routine walking schedules, activities to prevent sensory deprivation, and timely hospital discharge are among the interventions that can help prevent functional decline.