Adult failure to thrive in the older rehabilitation patient

Increasing numbers of older adults require rehabilitation therapy upon discharge from a hospital. This pilot study tested a tool developed to assess failure to thrive syndrome (FTT) in patients admitted to a long-term rehabilitation unit (N = 34), examined the association among commonly recognized FTT factors (persistent, unexpected impairment in physical function, cognitive impairment, and poor nutrition and mood state), and investigated relationships between FTT factors and discharge disposition. Patients with a high level of physical function differed from those with a low level of function in terms of age, mood state, and discharge disposition. Patients discharged home differed from patients who were unable to return home in mood state, physical function score, and admission serum albumin. Suggestions for practice and further research are offered.