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Assisted Early Mobility for Hospitalized Older Veterans: Preliminary Data from the STRIDE Program
Author(s) -
Hastings S. Nicole,
Sloane Richard,
Morey Miriam C.,
Pavon Juliessa M.,
Hoenig Helen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.13095
Subject(s) - stride , medicine , gait , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , balance (ability) , gerontology
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 ( P = .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 ( P = .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.