scholarly journals Research with older people in a world with COVID-19: identification of current and future priorities, challenges and opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 901-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J Richardson ◽  
Camille B Carroll ◽  
Jacqueline Close ◽  
Adam L Gordon ◽  
John O’Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
System Reconfiguration ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Academic Authors ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older people are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound impact on research as well as clinical service delivery. This commentary identifies key challenges and opportunities in continuing to conduct research with and for older people, both during and after the current pandemic. It shares opinions from responders to an international survey, a range of academic authors and opinions from specialist societies. Priorities in COVID-19 research include its specific presentation in older people, consequences for physical, cognitive and psychological health, treatments and vaccines, rehabilitation, supporting care homes more effectively, the impact of social distancing, lockdown policies and system reconfiguration to provide best health and social care for older people. COVID-19 research needs to be inclusive, particularly involving older people living with frailty, cognitive impairment or multimorbidity, and those living in care homes. Non-COVID-19 related research for older people remains of critical importance and must not be neglected in the rush to study the pandemic. Profound changes are required in the way that we design and deliver research for older people in a world where movement and face-to-face contact are restricted, but we also highlight new opportunities such as the ability to collaborate more widely and to design and deliver research efficiently at scale and speed.

Learning in lockdown: exploring the impact of COVID-19 on interprofessional education

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 648-652
Author(s):  
Alison Power ◽  
Michael Palapal Sy ◽  
Maggie Hutchings ◽  
Tracy Coleman ◽  
Alla El-Awaisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Rich Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the learning experiences of students undertaking health and social care programmes across the globe. In the UK, the Nursing and Midwifery Council introduced emergency standards for undergraduate programmes in 2020, making significant short-term changes to programme delivery. However, the mandate for all students to undertake interprofessional education remained. Interprofessional education is key to preparing students on health and social care programmes, as it enables students to work as effective members of multi-agency/multi-professional teams on qualification. It is an important element of training, as it has a direct impact on quality of care and service user experience. This series of articles will explore the experiences of ‘lockdown learning’ from the perspective of academics, students and service users from a global perspective in relation to the delivery of interprofessional education during the pandemic, which necessitated a wholesale move from face-to-face, blended and online learning to include emergency remote teaching. The series was written by members of the Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education Research Subgroup (Interprofessional Education Experiences) and aims to identify barriers and facilitators to successful shared learning and provide suggestions for how lessons learned can be taken forward to further enhance this important element of pre-registration education. The perceptions and attitudes of academics and students on such comprehensive changes are a unique and rich data source to explore and inform future provision.

Age-friendly cities and communities: a manifesto for change

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tine Buffel ◽  
Sophie Handler ◽  
Chris Phillipson
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Voluntary Workers ◽  
Economic Austerity ◽  
The Impact

Chapter 14 present a 10 point ‘Manifesto for Change’, drawing upon arguments and perspectives developed by the contributors to this book. Despite the expansion of the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, the chapter argues, challenges remain in responding to the growth of inequality and the impact of economic austerity on policies targeted at older people. Given this context, it becomes especially important to develop a framework for action which strengthens commitment to the primary goal of making environments responsive to the diverse needs of people as they age. The aim of the manifesto is to sharpen debate in the age-friendly field as well as encourage new approaches amongst the various stakeholders, including urban planners, community developers, health and social care professionals, policy-makers, NGOs, voluntary workers, and not least, older people themselves.

scholarly journals Does a social prescribing ‘holistic’ link-worker for older people with complex, multimorbidity improve well-being and frailty and reduce health and social care use and costs? A 12-month before-and-after evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Elston ◽  
Felix Gradinger ◽  
Sheena Asthana ◽  
Caroline Lilley-Woolnough ◽  
Sue Wroe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Patient Activation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the impact of ‘holistic’ link-workers on service users’ well-being, activation and frailty, and their use of health and social care services and the associated costs. Background: UK policy is encouraging social prescribing (SP) as a means to improve well-being, self-care and reduce demand on the NHS and social services. However, the evidence to support this policy is generally weak and poorly conceptualised, particularly in relation to frail, older people and patient activation. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, an integrated care organisation, commissioned a Well-being Co-ordinator service to support older adults (≥50 years) with complex health needs (≥2 long-term conditions), as part of its service redesign. Methods: A before-and-after study measuring health and social well-being, activation and frailty at 12 weeks and primary, community and secondary care service use and cost at 12 months prior and after intervention. Findings: Most of the 86 participants achieved their goals (85%). On average health and well-being, patient activation and frailty showed a statistically significant improvement in mean score. Mean activity increased for all services (some changes were statistically significant). Forty-four per cent of participants saw a decrease in service use or no change. Thirteen high-cost users (>£5000 change in costs) accounted for 59% of the overall cost increase. This was largely due to significant, rapid escalation in morbidity and frailty. Co-ordinators played a valuable key-worker role, improving the continuity of care, reducing isolation and supporting carers. No entry-level participant characteristic was associated with change in well-being or service use. Larger, better conceptualised, controlled studies are needed to strengthen claims of causality and develop national policy in this area.

scholarly journals 532 CARING FOR AND CARING ABOUT OLDER PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE FRAILTY DURING COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii8-ii13
Author(s):  
R Green ◽  
H King ◽  
C Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Video And Audio ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction An ongoing study collected survey and interview data from older people with frailty living in the community near end-of-life during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Unstructured interviews with older people with frailty living in the community (N = 10), which included accounts from unpaid carers (N = 5), were video and audio recorded between October–November 2021. Six of these older people have died since fieldwork completion. A face-to-face survey collected data from a further 10 older people. Participants ages ranged from 70–99, 11, men, and 9 women, living in owned, rented, or sheltered accommodation, with Clinical Frailty Scores of 6 (N = 8), 7 (N = 9), and 8 (N = 3). Results Topics raised in relation to the pandemic included loss of social contact and increased loneliness, concern about not physically getting out, and losing physical function. Older people struggled to gain access to health and social care for support and previously received services were withdrawn. Most participants did not have access to internet and relied heavily on families to facilitate virtual contact with health professionals. Families and friends were the main anchor in facilitating social and health care including chasing up medications, liaising with social care to ensure quality and consistency of care provided, and monitoring older people’s health. Where older people’s conditions worsened family provided intense support, though family carers described the strain and unsustainability of this provision. Older people and their families felt they had been forgotten. Conclusions These are insights from hard-to-reach population that are frequently invisible. Greater examination of the impact of using communication technologies in care provision on those with poor access to and capabilities with using these technologies is required. Unpaid carers need more information and resources to support the care they provide and to facilitate access to appropriate social and health care services for those they care for.

scholarly journals Multi-Morbidity and Polypharmacy in Older People: Challenges and Opportunities for Clinical Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pritti Aggarwal ◽  
Stephen Woolford ◽  
Harnish Patel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Global Population

Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy are common in older people and pose a challenge for health and social care systems especially in context of global population ageing. They are complex and interrelated concepts in the care of older people that require early detection and patient centred decision making that are underpinned by the principles of multidisciplinary led comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Personalised care plans need to remain responsive and adaptable to the needs of a patient, enabling an individual to maintain their independence.

scholarly journals Quality improvement through the paradigm of learning

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Hafford-Letchfield ◽  
Peter Lavender
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Project Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Learning Interventions

Purpose – Achieving meaningful participation and co-production for older people in care requires radical approaches. The purpose of this paper is to explore an innovation where learning interventions were introduced into care settings and older people matched to community-based learning mentors to develop partnerships. The authors explore how the concept of learning might be used as a paradigm to raise the quality of care in institutionalised settings using a co-productive and relationship-based approach to promote wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach – A structured evaluation drew on qualitative data captured from interviews with older people (n=25) and learning mentors (n=22) to reflect on the potential benefits and challenges involved when introducing learning interventions in care settings. This was contextualised alongside data captured from stakeholders (n=10) including a care home manager, social care and education commissioners, trustees and project staff to assess the interdisciplinary contribution of lifelong learning to quality improvement. Findings – Introducing learning interventions to older people within care settings promoted participation, advocacy and relationship-based care which in turn helped to create a positive culture. Given the current challenges to improve quality in care services, drawing on a paradigm of learning may encourage older people to retain their independence as care homes strive towards a person-centred approach. Promoting social activities and leisure using learning was found to foster closer working relationships between older people and the wider community. These had a levelling effect through reciprocity, using an asset based approach. There were benefits for the care provider as the partnerships formed enabled people to raise both individual and collective concerns about care and support. Originality/value – Raising and sustaining the quality of support for older people requires input from the wider public sector beyond health and social care. Purposeful engagement with other disciplines such as learning and leisure offers the potential to realise a more sustainable model of user choice, person-centred support and user involvement. Being engaged through learning can nourish membership in the community for marginalised populations such as older people living in care homes.

scholarly journals Multi-Morbidity and Polypharmacy in Older People: Challenges and Opportunities for Clinical Practice

Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Pritti Aggarwal ◽  
Stephen J. Woolford ◽  
Harnish P. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Multi Disciplinary Team

Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy are common in older people and pose a challenge for health and social care systems, especially in the context of global population ageing. They are complex and interrelated concepts in the care of older people that require early detection and patient-centred shared decision making underpinned by multi-disciplinary team-led comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) across all health and social care settings. Personalised care plans need to remain responsive and adaptable to the needs and wishes of the patient, enabling the individual to maintain their independence. In this review, we aim to give an up-to-date account of the recognition and management of multi-morbidity and polypharmacy in the older person.

“Something to get out of bed for”: creative arts for a happily ageing population

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 190-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Cann
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to relate the growing body of evidence about the impact of creative arts on the health and well-being of older people to the debate about active ageing, prevention and demographic change. Design/methodology/approach It draws on a range of researched examples in order to illustrate the impact of three different art forms – singing, dance and visual arts – on health and well-being. Findings The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence. Social implications It argues that creative arts should become an integral and more prominent part of ageing policy. The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence. Originality/value An important research challenge remains, namely to plot cause (arts intervention) and effect (reduced demand on health and care services), if the creative arts are to occupy a central place in commissioning investment at a time of acute financial stringency in the public sector.

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