ADVANCING GERIATRIC CARE: THE IMPACT AND FUTURE OF STRIDE IN THE VA - Abstract - Innovation in Aging

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

The study describes STRIDE (AssiSTed EaRly MobIlity for HospitalizeD VEterans), an evidence-based, supervised walking program aimed at preserving and enhancing older Veterans’ physical function. With VA’s expanding aging population, the program supports access to effective geriatric care. Implemented since 2014 in 70+ VA hospitals, STRIDE promotes enrollment within 24 hours, supervised daily walks up to 20 minutes, and staff-led pre/post evaluations. Evidence links participation to shorter hospital stays, fewer skilled nursing facility discharges, and improved immediate well-being, supported by scalable implementation tools and sustained investment in staffing and leadership.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

STRIDE Overview

Target Population and Rationale

Program Design and Implementation

Evidence of Outcomes

Implementation Support Tools

Sustainability and Expansion

146 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.484 ADVANCING GERIATRIC CARE: THE IMPACT AND FUTURE OF STRIDE IN THE VA Caitlin Kappler1, Karen Stechuchak2, Amy Webster2, Ashley Choate2, and Susan Hastings3, 1. Durham Veterans Affairs, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 2. Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 3. Durham VA Healthcare System, Durham, North Carolina, United States STRIDE (AssiSTed EaRly MobIlity for HospitalizeD VEterans) is an evidence-based, supervised walking program designed to preserve and enhance the physical function of older Veterans, a population at high risk for hospital-associated disability. As the VA serves an aging Veteran community, ensuring access to effective geriatric care is critical for maintaining independence and quality of life. Launched in 2014, STRIDE has been successfully implemented in over 70 Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals nationwide, proactively addressing functional decline through early intervention. The program encourages enrollment ideally within 24 hours of admission, provides supervised daily walks of up to 20 minutes, and ensures dedicated staff oversee both the walks and pre/post evaluations. Evidence demonstrates that STRIDE participants experience shorter hospital stays, reduced discharge to skilled nursing facilities, and report feeling better immediately after walking. A robust set of standardized implementation support tools has been shown to facilitate STRIDE’s adoption in VA hospitals, providing a scalable solution to mitigate hospital-associated disability. Sustaining and expanding STRIDE requires ongoing investment in research and implementation support, particularly in securing dedicated staffing and fostering leadership engagement at local, regional, and national levels. By improving outcomes for aging Veterans, STRIDE strengthens the VA’s capacity to integrate and sustain best practices, ensuring older Veterans receive the specialized care they need to maintain mobility, independence, and overall well-being.

FAQs

What is STRIDE and who is it designed for?

STRIDE is an evidence-based, supervised walking program designed for older Veterans who are at high risk for hospital-associated disability.

How is STRIDE implemented in VA hospitals?

The program is ideally enrolled within 24 hours of admission and provides supervised daily walks of up to 20 minutes, with dedicated staff overseeing both the walks and pre/post evaluations.

What outcomes are associated with STRIDE participation?

Evidence indicates shorter hospital stays, reduced discharge to skilled nursing facilities, and participants reporting feeling better immediately after walking.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel