Healthy lifestyle in elders after discharge

Abstract

<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> To investigate whether hospitalization is related to change in healthy lifestyle among elderly and determine the related factors associated with these changes.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> A Prospective design and mix data approach was adopted. We purposively selected 60 patients who were 65 years and older from the general inpatient service at a medical center. A structured healthy lifestyle questionnaire was conducted by face to face interview from admission and three months after discharge.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Total scores of healthy lifestyle were improved after hospitalization (19.4 +/- 1.8 vs 20.3 +/- 1.5, p .o1), especially in good eating habits, safety of medicines usage and smoking. Patients who were younger and financially sufficient performed better in good eating habits (77.4 +/- 6.7 vs 73.8 +/- 4.4, p .o5; 69.2% vs 34%, p .o5, respectively). Patients who were unemployed, with three or more chronic diseases but shorter period of hospitalization performed better in safety of medicines usage (84.4% vs 60%, p .o5; 59.1% vs 33.3%, p .o5; 6.5 +/- 5.3 vs 10.4 +/- 6.1, p .o1, respectively). Although the amount of exercise was not significant, patients who were financially sufficient, better diagnosis, with more than three chronic diseases, lower comorbidity score, first admission, less frequency of admission during the past three years, longer duration during last admission and on readmission tended to exercise after hospitalization. Moreover, the qualitative data indicated assistance from family after hospitalization was the most helpful in improving healthy lifestyle.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The result of this study may provide information for clinicians to pay more attention to frail elderly and collaborate with their family to improve the healthy lifestyle of elderly after hospitalization.</p>