Bettlägerigkeit bei alten Menschen – eine Literaturübersicht

Particularly older people are affected by mobility restrictions and can go through the process of gradually becoming bedridden. This can potentially lead to extensive consequences for the individuals involved, which must be considered in their care.

To bundle nursing implications related to the phenomenon of being bedridden in the field of long-term care and to provide impulses for research in nursing science.

Research in relevant specialist databases (2003–2023) based on the criteria of a scoping review.

In Germany there is a standard for maintaining and promoting mobility that addresses bed and local confinements but German language studies on these phenomena are rare. In the international context, these issues are researched more intensively, focussing on risk factors for the development of immobility and the negative consequences for those affected. The publications focus on the reduction of these factors, while less attention is paid to the organization of life in bed and the participation and involvement of those affected.

The complexity of the phenomenon is not fully illustrated in current research. In order to develop a nursing perspective research projects that also include aspects of life in bed are a central aspect in order to take greater account of the reality of bedridden people’s lives and their potential for participation and involvement.