Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults in the Rural Setting and Impact of Mobility on Length of Stay and Discharge...

To determine the prevalence of frailty among individuals aged ≥65 years with heart failure and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and if there was a difference in length of stay (LOS) and/or discharge disposition in individuals who mobilized daily versus those who did not.

Thirty-five individuals were screened using the FRAIL Scale. A retrospective chart review was performed for participants with frailty, assessing residential location on admission and discharge, LOS, and daily mobilization during hospitalization.

Participants were categorized as robust (n = 1, 2.9%), pre-frail (n = 15, 42.9%), and frail (n = 19, 54.3%). Mean LOS for those who mobilized daily (n = 12) was 2.33 and 4.71 for those who did not mobilize daily (p = 0.028). A lower percentage of participants who mobilized (16.7%) required higher levels of care at discharge versus those who did not mobilize (42.9%, p = 0.067).

Early recognition of frailty may provide opportunities to implement mobility programs to decrease LOS and ensure these individuals remain at functional baseline. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 51(6), 13-16.].