The effects of acute illness on ADL decline over 1 year in frail older adults with and without cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background: Acute illness may lead to long-term losses in older adults' ability to independently perform activities of daily living (ADLs). The magnitude of these losses may differ for patients with and without cognitive impairment. These relationships have not been described for the frailest of older adults whose high rates of acute illness and cognitive impairment put them at the greatest risk for loss of ADL functioning.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 2593 patients enrolled in a nationwide medical and psychosocial program for frail, community-living, nursing home-eligible patients. We determined the independent and interactive effects of baseline cognitive impairment and admission for an acute illness on change in ADL functioning over 1 year.

Results: ADL decline over 1 year occurred in 53% of cognitively impaired patients who were admitted for an acute illness, 38% of cognitively impaired patients who were not admitted for an acute illness, 42% of noncognitively impaired patients who were admitted for an acute illness, and 25% of noncognitively impaired patients who were not admitted for an acute illness (p <.001). The amount of additional decline in ADLs associated with an admission for an acute illness was similar between patients with and without cognitive impairment (-.85 vs -.74; p for interaction =.86). Among patients who were admitted for an acute illness, significant decline in ADL functioning occurred only in the quarter surrounding the acute illness with no evidence of recovery in the months after the acute illness episode.

Conclusions: Among frail older adults, loss of ADL functioning over 1 year is independently associated with both acute admission for an acute illness and cognitive impairment. Frail elders, especially those with cognitive impairment, are in need of interventions that reduce the long-term functional consequences of acute illness.