Outcomes of discharge from hospital for elderly people.

The numbers of elderly people going home from hospital in the United Kingdom are likely to increase over the next decade. Previous research suggests that this group of people are liable to experience some difficulties on returning home. This paper reports the findings of a study of the outcomes of discharge for 32 elderly people admitted to geriatric wards. A lower level of independence in daily living activities, and an increase in the amount of help needed after hospitalization were found. An increase in the rate of discharge of elderly people will have implications for both formal and informal carers.