ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION - CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO ACUTE-CARE OF ELDERS

Assessment of functional status in hospitalized elders provides essent ial information that can assist maintenance or restoration of self-car e. Nurses in acute care settings are in a pivotal position to assess f unction and target interventions to prevent loss of function and maint ain an individual's self-care ability. This article discusses critical issues in the functional assessment of hospitalized elders and provid es a clinical practice protocol that includes nursing care strategies to prevent functional decline during hospitalization and assist with d ischarge planning.