日常活動的功能下降常見於老年病患，功能下降常直接影響病患之獨立功能，繼而導致入院一再
入院、入住機構機會增加，對現行的健康照護系統產生巨大的衝擊。老人入院時間雖不長，其功能依然會下降，本文回顧老年患者住院期間之功能下降的發生現況、促使發生功能下降的因素、並簡介早期活動等照護策略，期提升大家對住院老年患者功能下降的認識，進而能將早期活動等介入的原則實際運用於臨床照護中。

Functional decline is a common adverse event for older hospitalized patients. Performance on activities of daily living directly affects the independence of older patients and increases hospital readmission, as
well as nursing home placement. This article aims to review the epidemics of functional decline in older hospitalized patients, factors contributing to functional decline, and utility of early mobilization. We hope, by enhancing the awareness among professionals, action could be taken to apply strategies of early mobilization into daily clinical care.