The association of physical resilience and post-discharge adverse events among older adults with dementia.

Abstract

Objectives: Post-discharge adverse events, such as falls, hospitalizations, and death, are more prevalent among older adults with dementia, compared to their cognitively intact counterparts. This study aimed to test the association between physical resilience and post discharge adverse events in a sample of older adults with dementia.

Method: Through phone calls with caregivers over one year, we obtained data on physical resilience and post-discharge adverse events through caregiver report among a sample of 314 recently discharged older adults with dementia. We performed negative binomial regression (falls and hospitalizations) and logistic regression (death), controlling for covariates.

Results: Greater physical resilience at one month post discharge was significantly associated with less falls, hospitalizations, and death within one year.

Conclusion: This study highlights a particular patient profile, recently discharged older adults living with dementia who have low physical resilience, that could be targeted for intervention when discharged from the hospital.