Introduction: Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is a major contributor to frailty, falls, and functional decline in older adults, significantly increasing the risk of hospitalisations and mortality. While vitamin D is well known for its role in bone health, its potential benefit for skeletal muscle remains under investigation. This review critically evaluates the role of vitamin D supplementation in improving muscle health and function in older adults without vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A literature search across multiple databases identified 591 English-language
Introduction Inappropriate polypharmacy in complex, multimorbid, and frail older adults increases risks of adverse events, hospital admissions, and nonadherence. Polypharmacy review is an important part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) with national guidance emphasising the goal being harm reduction rather than deprescribing. This audit evaluated the impact of polypharmacy review within the Dundee Enhanced Care at Home Team (DECAHT) geriatrician caseload. Method A retrospective audit of the 25 most recent patient discharges under DECAHT-geriatrician care (July–August 2024) was
Background Frail older patients are at increased risk of adverse drug events due to polypharmacy and age-related pharmacokinetic changes. Standardised Medication Reviews (SMRs) are essential for optimising prescribing, reducing harm, and improving outcomes as part of comprehensive in-patient geriatric assessments. However, both inconsistent documentation and data capture limit their effectiveness. The implementation of an electronic prescribing platform within our organisation enables real-time SMR documentation and creates opportunities for service improvement. Methods In alignment with
Background: In 2024, 3.5% of patients reviewed in Dementia CNS clinics at St George’s Hospital, South-West London, identified as African or Afro-Caribbean according to audit data, despite the census recording the local population of these groups as over 10%. This underrepresentation is more concerning given national findings indicate that dementia rates are 22% higher among Black individuals in the UK compared to White counterparts. The disparity highlights systemic barriers to diagnosis, care, and research; emphasising the urgent need for culturally tailored outreach strategies. The aim of
Background: The global population of people aged 65 years and over is expected to rise from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. Many of these older adults have multiple comorbidities and functional impairments that make them particularly vulnerable during acute hospitalisation. Engagement in meaningful activities can be vital to older people’s care, particularly in acute hospitals. Evidence suggests that such engagement can have a positive impact on the patients’ hospital journeys. To ensure individualised support, it is important to understand the purpose of meaningful activities for
Introduction To describe differences in the baseline characteristics of two distinct patient groups, ≤80 years and >80 years enrolled the North Glasgow Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection fraction ( HFpEF ) pilot project, a joint working project with Boehringer Ingelheim. Method This is a quality improvement/equity of access project to develop a blueprint of care using a multidisciplinary team approach to manage HFpEF. Following comprehensive clinical assessment, patient data was entered onto a database (Castor) and analysed, stratifying patients by age (≤80 vs >80 years). Results From 14th
Introduction Ageing & Frailty Standards(1) highlights the importance of identifying frailty at the earliest opportunity. A Community Rehabilitation Service is in prime position to incorporate frailty screening into the electronic healthcare record (EHCR). Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)(2) is appropriate for this population however was not prompted within the assessment and as a result completion rates were low. The aim was to include the CFS Systematized Nomenclature of Medicines - Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) code in the template for all people aged over 65 and monitor completion rates. Methods
Abstract Content: Introduction: Emerging and increasing frailty often goes unidentified, and families living with dementia and frailty are missing vital opportunities to receive the right support at the right time. People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, leading to adverse health outcomes and an earlier loss of independence. Method: We have developed a unique and innovative National frailty Consultant Admiral Nurse service to address this concern. This service was
Introduction Older adults are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug effects from opioids, including constipation, delirium, immobility, and delayed discharge. Despite NICE guidance recommending prophylactic stimulant laxatives with opioid prescriptions, older surgical inpatients frequently receive inadequate bowel care. Prescribing must also consider comorbidities such as renal impairment and cognitive decline. This quality improvement project aimed to optimise opioid and laxative prescribing safety in an elderly surgical population. Methods A two-cycle audit was performed on a long-stay