Decrease in maximum paced walking speed predicts hospitalization in community-dwelling older people with disabilities

Key summary points Aim We investigated the relationship between walking speed and unexpected hospitalization in community-dwelling older adults with disabilities in activities of daily living. Findings In community-dwelling older people with disabilities in activities of daily living, the amount of change in walking speed over a 3-month period was more strongly associated with unexpected hospitalization than the walking speed at a single time point. Message When assessing the risk of unexpected hospitalization by walking speed in community-dwelling older adults with disabilities in activities of daily living, it is important to evaluate not only a single point in time, but also changes over time.