Older adults' early disability following a cardiac event.

Using the disablement model, the authors examined the following questions in adults 70 years of age and older during the 6 weeks following hospitalization for a cardiac event: (a) What are the patterns in physical performance, self-report of functional limitations, and disability, and (b) to what extent does physical performance in the hospital and self-report of functional limitations pre-event predict 6-week disability? Data were collected before discharge and 3 and 6 weeks later on a sample of 60 older adults after a cardiac event. Results show that although the majority of participants improved in their objective physical performance, 70% self-reported no improvement or worsening. Physical performance during hospitalization is a better predictor of disability than a pre-event self-report of functional limitations, even when controlling for depression, gender, and comorbidity. Assessment of objective physical performance prior to discharge will help to identify older adults at risk for progressive disability.