Walking Level Predicts Hospital Readmissions for Seniors, Study Finds

A new study from the University of Texas at Galveston finds that walking is an excellent predictor of readmission risk for those over 65.

 

The study attached pedometers to 111 senior citizens at the time of discharge. The subsequent 30 day readmission rates showed that those who took a second trip to the hospital had walked 30 percent less than their counterparts who had not been readmitted.

 

While walking doesn't necessarily keep the elderly out of the hospital, it does indicate and preserve overall health, according to Steven Fisher, PhD, the lead researcher of the study. 

 

Dr. Fisher suggested that monitoring activity of senior citizen patients and identifying barriers to motion for those moving less might help keep hospital readmissions down.