Nursing Edição Brasileira · Aug 27, 2026

Impact of Hospitalization on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

By Seki JL, Barreto JMDB, Sansão MEM et al.

Global population aging leads to a substantial increase in hospitalization rates among older adults, a demographic group highly vulnerable to adverse clinical outcomes. The hospital environment, characterized by stressful sensory stimuli, prolonged bed confinement, polypharmacy, and changes in daily routine, frequently acts as a trigger for acute and chronic cognitive decline. Among the most prevalent clinical manifestations is delirium, along with the acceleration of pre-existing dementia syndromes and the cumulative loss of functional capacity. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the impact of hospitalization on cognitive function in older adults, identifying the main risk factors and clinical repercussions associated with this event. To this end, a literature search was conducted, integrating indexed Brazilian scientific studies that investigated the relationship between hospitalization, frailty, functional decline, and the development of cognitive disorders in older patients. The results indicate that physical frailty, advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and exposure to environmental and pharmacological iatrogenic harm exponentially increase the incidence of cognitive impairment during and after hospitalization. It is concluded that hospitalization can precipitate serious deleterious events affecting cognition in older adults, making it imperative to adopt institutional protocols aimed at prevention, early identification, and cognitive and functional rehabilitation targeted to this population.

doi.org/10.36489/nursing.2026v32i340p18819-18823Open accessPopulations