Strategies older adults use in their work to get back to normal following hospitalization.
Daniel Liebzeit, Lisa Bratzke, Barbara King
PMID 31443983WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults recovering from hospitalization described 'pushing themselves' through exercise and resuming daily tasks to regain function.
They relied heavily on family encouragement and provider feedback to set safe limits, while pain and lack of energy stopped progress.
Key findings
01Participants used 'pushing self' as a primary strategy, involving prescribed or self-directed exercise and resuming activities to expand their physical space.
02Informal supporters like family provided encouragement, monitored progress, and temporarily took over tasks, which helped participants stay on track.
03Poor physical function, specifically pain and weakness, and poor physiologic function, such as lack of energy, were barriers that prevented participants from engaging in recovery work.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample was small (14 participants) and limited to those who could provide consent and recall their experiences. Participants were recruited from a single Midwestern hospital and were mostly white and non-Hispanic, limiting generalizability. The study focused on older adults returning home or to subacute care, so findings may not apply to those transitioning to long-term institutional care. Data collection was retrospective to the immediate post-discharge period, though interviews occurred within 30 days.
Declared interests
The research was supported by N.I.H. Extramural and Non-U.S. Gov't grants. No specific financial conflicts of interest involving commercial entities are detailed in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions work. This study describes patients' experiences and perceptions of recovery strategies, not the efficacy of those strategies in improving functional outcomes.