The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyLongitudinal association between depressive symptoms and disability burden among older persons.
Although depressive symptoms in older persons are common, their association with disability burden is not well understood. The authors evaluated the association between level of depressive symptoms and severity of subsequent disability over time and determined whether this relationship differed by sex. ⋯ Levels of depressive symptoms below the threshold for subsyndromal depression are associated with increased disability burden in older persons. Identifying and treating varying levels of depressive symptoms in older persons may ultimately help to reduce the burden of disability in this population.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyFactors associated with recovery of prehospital function among older persons admitted to a nursing home with disability after an acute hospitalization.
The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with recovery of prehospital function among older persons admitted to a nursing home with disability after an acute hospitalization. ⋯ In the setting of an acute hospitalization leading to a nursing home admission with disability, the likelihood of recovering prehospital function is low. The factors associated with recovery include faster performance on tests of gross motor coordination and manual dexterity and the absence of cognitive impairment and significant weight loss.