Association between Caregiver Role and Short- and Long-Term Functional Recovery after Hip Fracture: A Prospective Study

After a hip fracture, 50% of senior patients are left with permanent functional decline and 30% lose their autonomy. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate whether seniors who are in a caregiver role have better functional recovery after hip fracture compared with noncaregivers. Prospective observational study. A total of 107 Swiss patients with acute hip fracture age 65 years and older (84% women; 83.0 ± 6.9 years; 87% community-dwelling). At baseline, participants were asked if they were caregivers for a person, a pet, or a plant. Lower-extremity mobility was measured using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at baseline during acute care (day 1–12 after hip fracture surgery) and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Subjective physical functioning (SPF) was rated for prefracture values and at 6 and 12 months follow-up using the Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire. Differences in TUG performance or SPF between caregivers and noncaregivers at 6 and 12 months were assessed using multivariable repeated-measures analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, Mini-Mental State Examination, living condition, baseline TUG, and treatment (vitamin D, home exercise program as part of the original trial). At baseline, adjusted TUG performance was better in caregivers of any kind compared with noncaregivers (40.9 vs 84.4 seconds, P