Predictors of discharge stability in the first year following hospital admission for a frail elderly population.

The frail elderly are a group of patients who are at high risk of institutionalization and death. Specialist older person's health care aims to maximize function and independence. However, there is little published work on the long-term outcomes following hospitalization in a frail elderly population. This study examines the outcomes in the first year after hospitalization for this group. We find that 62% are able to remain in their own homes and that functional status is the strongest predictor of outcome, with age and living arrangements also significant.