fraility Flashcards
(25 cards)
define elderly population
in uk = over 65
in practice = over 80
65 used to be elderly, but because people are living longer now, most patients on geriatric wards are around 80
so elderly in practice can be considered around 80
but living longer doesnt meant why are healthier
what are the 4 geriatric giants / common conditions that happen to elderly but not youngers
- falls
- immobility
- cognitive impairment
- urinary incontinence
other things besides the 4 geriatric giant that express frailty :
weight loss
sarcopenia
reduced exercise tolerance
reduced oral intake
what is sarcopenia
age related muscle loss
falls in older people are always abnormal and indicative of disease processes
- increasingly trauma CT needed to identify all injuries
why is it hard to prevent falls in elderly
causes of the fall are multi-factorial
e.g poor vision, bad balance, postural hypotension, medication
immobility is associated with falls, viscous circle if they fall and then immobilise vice versa
what test is done to assess healthcare needs of frail patients
comprehensive geriatric assessment
- an organised approach to assessment. designed to determine an older person’s medical conditions, mental health, functional. capacity and social circumstances.
CGA involves whole multi-disciplinary team, focuses on complexity and multi-morbidity
hospitals are dangerous for older patients so its better to focus on having more care to be delivered in their communities
- focus is to manage elders to live well, not cure long term conditions
mental capacity assessments to assess if elderly patient can understand the decisions they make are carried out by who
MDT multidisciplinary team
- A team of health professionals will work with you to plan the treatment that is best for you
individuals can have a lasting power of attorney, what is this
a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
define frailty
not an illness!
syndrome that combines effect of natural ageing with outcomes of multiple long term conditions, loss of fitness and reserves
understand difference between frail, longterm conditions and disability , there is over lap but having one doesnt mean u have the other.
e.g you can be disabled but doesnt mean ur frail
what do you call it when you have multiple long term conditions
multi-morbidity
why look for frailty
identified with a view to improve outcomes and avoid unnecessary harm
frailty varies in severity !!! thus it isnt static, it can get better or worse
is frailty inevitable part of old age?
NO, its a long term condition in the same sense of diabetes
what do GP’s use to identify frail patients over 65
electronic frail index
what is delayed transfer of care
‘delayed transfer of care’ occurs when a patient is ready to leave a hospital or similar care provider but is still occupying a bed.
what does GIRFT project stand for and what is ti
get it right first time project
-designed to improve the treatment and care of patients through in-depth review of services, benchmarking, and presenting a data-driven evidence base to support change.
what 3 things should be priority in the falls and fragility fracture pathway
- preventing falls
- detecting and managing osteoporosis
- optimal support after fragility fracture
what does FLS stand for and what do they do
fracture liaison service
- prevention program provides bone evaluation and develops a personalised plan for a patient to reach and maintain bone health to prevent future fractures
