Age and ageing
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to profile the trajectory of, and risk factors for, functional decline in older patients in the 30 days following Emergency Department (ED) discharge. ⋯ older people with pre-existing ADL impairment were at high risk of functional decline in the 30 days following ED presentation. This effect was largely mitigated for those who used a mobility aid. Early intervention with functional assessments and appropriate implementation of support services and mobility aids could reduce functional decline after discharge.
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institutionalisation following acute hospital admission is common and yet poorly described, with policy documents advising against this transition. ⋯ care home admission from hospital is common and yet there are no established standards to support best practice. Decisions should involve the whole multidisciplinary team in partnership with patients and families. Documentation of assessment in the case notes is variable. We advocate the development of interdisciplinary standards to support the assessment of this vulnerable and complex group of patients.