Fighting Frailty Among Elderly in Hospitals

Some hospitals are trying to prevent a common problem among older patients — they are frailer after a hospital stay than they were before. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about this March 9. Experts told AP that hospital care has focused only on illness or surgery. Less attention has been given to preventing weakness that can occur from being away from regular activities. Staying in bed can increase the risk of infection and slow recovery. It also can lead to rapid loss of muscle strength. AP profiled two hospitals that try to preserve older patients’ strength. At Northwest Community Hospital, in a Chicago suburb, older patients are encouraged to walk every day. Volunteers walk with them. Highlands Hospital, in Birmingham, Ala., uses volunteers at mealtimes. They remove plastic wrap that may not yield to arthritic hands.