The elder and critical care. Sleep and mobility issues

The older adult who is critically ill is extremely vulnerable to deficits in sleep and mobility related to (1) the seriousness of his or her pathologic conditions, (2) the physiologic alterations that normally occur with aging, and (3) the unique characteristics of the critical care environment. The challenge to nursing lies in understanding the age-related changes that occur in neuromusculoskeletal function and how these changes may influence an already compromised system. With this knowledge base, alterations in sleep and mobility in the critically ill elder can be accurately assessed and appropriate nursing interventions planned and implemented.