The acute care for elders unit: taking the rehabilitation model into the hospital setting.

Older Americans are living longer than ever before. Those over the age of 65 years account for almost 13% of the population and one third of all hospitalizations. Older adults are much more likely than younger adults to develop complications during hospitalization. With the increasing number of older adults at higher risk of hospitalization, it is more important than ever to study and develop ways to minimize the cascade of dependency that can occur during hospitalization. The Acute Care for Elders unit model has been shown to improve the processes of hospital care, discharge outcomes, and the prevention of functional limitations for the acutely ill older adult.