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[Hospitalized aged patients as a social problem. Preliminary study]
Minerva Medica
|November 14, 1981
Summary
Hospitalizing older adults, often for social reasons, can strain hospital resources and negatively impact patient health. This study identifies social factors contributing to excessive hospital admissions among the elderly, particularly affecting lower social classes.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Sociology of Health
Context:
- Hospitalisation of aged persons is frequently driven by social factors, not solely medical needs.
- Excessive hospitalisation can impair hospital efficiency and lead to patient psychophysical deterioration.
Purpose:
- To investigate the medical and social factors contributing to hospitalisation in aged patients.
- To identify risks associated with hospital admission for the elderly.
Summary:
- A study of 40 aged patients revealed that geriatric hospital departments primarily serve individuals from lower social classes.
- Preliminary findings indicate that aged women (both native-born and immigrant) and culturally marginalized individuals face the highest risk of detrimental hospitalisation outcomes.
Impact:
- Highlights the disproportionate impact of social determinants on elderly hospitalisation patterns.
- Informs strategies for optimizing geriatric care and resource allocation within healthcare systems.