scholarly journals An interdisciplinary primary care approach for frail older people : feasibility, effects and costs

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.F. Metzelthin
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Care Approach

scholarly journals STRATEGIES TO PREVENT FRAILTY: THE POWER OF EARLY DETECTION AND TRAINING OF PROFESSIONALS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S46-S46
Author(s):  
Nienke Bleijenberg ◽  
Niek de Wit
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Older People ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
At Home

Abstract Aging in place is an important goal for both older adults as well as many health policies worldwide, as it is in the Netherlands. Within an aging society, the number of frail older people with complex care needs living at home is increasing. Despite the various definitions of frailty, it is important to early identify who is at risk in clinical practice in order to prevent functional decline, enhance quality of life, and reduce health care costs. Furthermore, an important requirement is effective collaboration between primary care professionals. Various factors are associated with frailty. However, early detection of frailty and its risk factors such as oral health, nutrition and medication related problems is not part of routine care of professionals. To recognize frailty and its risk factors we started a large proactive integrated primary care program that successfully identified frail older people living at home based on routine care data in the Netherlands. After two-year follow-up, a reduction in acute visits at the emergency department was observed. Next, we performed additional studies focusing on early detection and prevention of risk factors of frailty such as oral health, nutrition, and medication related problems among older people living at home. During this symposium we will present the results of the program, followed by our studies that investigated frailty or frailty related risk factors. Additionally, we will show how we enhanced and evaluated the knowledge and skills of professionals working with frail older people in primary care.

scholarly journals Supporting nutrition in frail older people: a qualitative study exploring views of primary care and community health professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (691) ◽  
pp. e138-e145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Avgerinou ◽  
Cini Bhanu ◽  
Kate Walters ◽  
Helen Croker ◽  
Remco Tuijt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
Socially Isolated

BackgroundMalnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and is very common in frail older people. However, little is known about how weight loss in frail older people can be managed in primary care.AimsTo explore the views and practices of primary care and community professionals on the management of malnutrition in frail older people; identify components of potential primary care-based interventions for this group; and identify training and support required to deliver such interventions.Design and settingQualitative study in primary care and community settings.MethodSeven focus groups and an additional interview were conducted with general practice teams, frailty multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), and community dietitians in London and Hertfordshire, UK (n = 60 participants). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsPrimary care and community health professionals perceived malnutrition as a multifaceted problem. There was an agreement that there is a gap in care provided for malnutrition in the community. However, there were conflicting views regarding professional accountability. Challenges commonly reported by primary care professionals included overwhelming workload and lack of training in nutrition. Community MDT professionals and dietitians thought that an intervention to tackle malnutrition would be best placed in primary care and suggested opportunistic screening interventions. Education was an essential part of any intervention, complemented by social, emotional, and/or practical support for frailer or socially isolated older people.ConclusionsFuture interventions should include a multifaceted approach. Education tailored to the needs of older people, carers, and healthcare professionals is a necessary component of any intervention.

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