A hospital stay is often a subject of fear, especially for older adults. Many are afraid that they will leave in a worse condition than before they were hospitalized. Unfortunately, recent studies reveal that these fears may have some merit. Researchers from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have discovered that elderly patients who are hospitalized are at a higher risk of developing cognitive problems afterward.
While the cause of this mental decline is unclear, research indicates that both the patient’s initial illness along with treatments received in the hospital may contribute. To learn more about this study, visit the New York Times column, The New Old Age or click here to read the study.
