Optimizing physical activity among older adults post trauma: Overcoming system and patient challenges

By 2050 it is anticipated that close to half (40%) of all trauma patients will be over the age of 65. Recovery for these individuals is more complicated than among younger individuals. Early mobilization has been shown to improve outcomes. Unfortunately, there are many challenges to early mobilization. The Function Focused Care Intervention was developed to overcome these challenges.

The purpose of this paper was to describe the initial recruitment of the first 25 participants and delineate the challenges and successes associated with implementation of this intervention.

Overall recruitment rates were consistent with other studies and the intervention was implemented as intended. Most patients were female, white and on average 79 years of age. Optimizing physical activity of patients was a low priority for the nurses with patient safety taking precedence. Patients spent most of the time in bed. Age, depression and tethering were the only factors that were associated with physical activity and functional outcomes of patients.

Ongoing work is needed to keep patients physically active in the immediate post trauma recovery period.