Assisted Early Mobility for Hospitalized Older Veterans: Preliminary Data from the STRIDE Program. Issue 11 (30th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hastings, S. Nicole; Sloane, Richard; Morey, Miriam C.; Pavon, Juliessa M.; Hoenig, Helen
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 62:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 2180
• Page End: 2184
• Publication Date: 2014-10-30
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.13095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jgs13095-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>An important contributor to hospital‐associated disability is immobility during hospitalization. Preliminary results from STRIDE, a clinical demonstration program of supervised walking for older adults admitted to the hospital with medical illness, are reported. The STRIDE program consisted of a targeted gait and balance assessment by a physical therapist, followed by daily walks supervised by a recreation therapy assistant for the duration of the hospital stay. To examine program effectiveness, STRIDE participants (n = 92) were compared with individuals referred but not enrolled (because of refusal or because program was at capacity, n = 35). Median length of stay was 4.7 days for STRIDE participants and 5.7 days for individuals receiving usual care (<italic>P</italic> = .31). There was one inpatient fall in each group (not associated with a STRIDE walk). Overall, 92% of STRIDE participants were discharged to home (rather than a skilled nursing facility (SNF)) compared to 74% of individuals receiving usual care (<italic>P</italic> = .007). Thirty‐day emergency department visit rates and readmission rates were not significantly different between the two groups. STRIDE, a supervised walking program for hospitalized older adults, was feasible and safe, and program participants were less likely to be discharged to a SNF than a demographically similar comparison group. STRIDE is a promising interdisciplinary approach to promoting mobility and improving outcomes in hospitalized older adults.</p> </abstract>