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Updated: May 31, 2026
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Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Acceptable long-term outcome in elderly intensive care unit patients
Morten A Schrøder1, Jesper Brøndum Poulsen, Anders Perner
1Intensive Care Unit, 4131, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 København Ø, Denmark. mortenschroder@gmail.com
Danish Medical Bulletin
|July 5, 2011
Summary
Elderly intensive care unit (ICU) patients face high mortality but survivors often regain independence. Despite physical challenges, their mental health is comparable to the general population, with most returning home.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- Increasing number of elderly patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).
- Need to assess the long-term outcomes for elderly individuals following intensive care.
- Growing demographic of older adults necessitates understanding their post-ICU trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly ICU survivors.
- To compare mortality rates in elderly versus non-elderly ICU patients.
- To understand the functional recovery and wishes of elderly ICU patients regarding future critical care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 91 elderly (≥75 years) and 659 non-elderly (18-74 years) ICU patients.
- Follow-up assessment of mortality and functional status.
- Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) interviews with 36 elderly survivors.
Main Results:
- Elderly ICU patients exhibited significantly higher mortality rates (64% at one year) compared to non-elderly patients (37%) and the general elderly population (9%).
- Elderly survivors showed reduced physical functioning but comparable mental health scores to age-matched controls.
- A high percentage (89%) of elderly survivors returned to living independently at home.
Conclusions:
- Intensive care for the elderly is associated with substantial long-term mortality.
- While physical function may be impaired, elderly ICU survivors demonstrate resilience with good mental health and a high rate of return to home.
- The majority of elderly survivors would opt for intensive care again, indicating a positive perception of their critical care experience.
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