Immobility and hospitalized elderly patients.
Immobility, immobilization, is a serious challenge for hospitalized elderly people and this condition is quite likely to become a provoking factor for a number of complications. That is why proper management of immobilization in clinics is necessary and a number of measures have been developed for this purpose. It is recommended to minimize the risk of muscle loss and worsening of the physical condition.
Examples of complicated clinical cases are:
- Dehydration;
- Increased blood viscosity;
- Respiratory infections;
- Constipation;
- Musculoskeletal problems;
- Urinary tract infections;
- Ulcers;
- Anxiety and depression;
- Cardiovascular problems.
Scientists conducted a study and found that patients over the age of 80 were at higher risk of muscle wasting when they required hospitalization for more than 10 days. The study also showed that 35% of patients over the age of 70 had decreased functional capacity compared to the period before hospitalization.
Source:
https://www.medstrom.com/solution/complications-of-immobility-in-the-elderly-brief-overview/
