Why Do Seniors Leave Hospitals Worse Off Than When They Arrived?

Hospital stays – particularly lengthy ones – can cause seniors to deteriorate physically and mentally. Sadly, they often leave in worse condition than when they arrived – and continue on a downhill trajectory. Many are unable to care for themselves when they return home (if they can), even if they were previously active and independent.

The deterioration may have little to do with the injury or illness that put them in the hospital in the first place. Common procedures like keeping elderly patients attached to IV poles and oxygen tanks limit their mobility. They often can’t get a proper night’s sleep because they’re awakened repeatedly during the night by a staff member checking their vital signs. Further, hospitalization can mean isolation and immobility, contributing to significant declines in older patients’ mental health.

What puts older patients at risk?

One reason behind this troubling issue stems from the lack of focus on senior patient care in many facilities. Further, their stays are typically longer than those of younger patients.

Understaffing is also a serious issue. Staffing shortages can mean that seniors don’t get the food or pain meds they need and aren’t encouraged to get up and move around regularly (and safely) by those caring for them. Younger adults are more likely to speak up for themselves or have family members around who will. Some elderly patients have no family, or at least none who visit regularly.

The lack of appropriate care in general creates more costs for everyone, whether it’s because more people have to go into nursing homes or be readmitted to the hospital repeatedly because their health has declined after a long hospital stay, even if the initial injury or illness is no longer the main problem.

Is this medical malpractice?

It can be difficult to tie declines in health after hospitalization to malpractice. Most people just assume that they’re just a result of the condition for which they were hospitalized. However, it is crucial to scrutinize care, procedures, and staff interactions and practices when an older adult suffers new or worsening conditions after a hospital stay. Doing so can identify any failures in a care provider’s or facility’s standard of care, which could support a medical malpractice claim.

If you are concerned that a loved one’s care (or lack thereof) during their hospitalization has led to greater harm, it may be wise to seek personalized legal guidance.