Posters

Background Specialist, hyperacute management of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is necessary to decrease subsequent stroke. As part of a local Quality Improvement (QI) initiative, we implemented a new TIA pathway in our hospital to maximise efficiency, encourage an ambulatory approach, and improve global TIA management in line with the 2023 UK and Ireland Clinical Guidelines for Stroke. Method We completed a retrospective cohort study of patients who attended our hospital between April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024. Patients with a primary diagnosis of TIA were identified through the Hospital

Introduction: Falls are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. This burden is greatest in elderly populations. Malaysia is experiencing a rapid demographic shift towards an ageing population, it has a low incidence of falling, but a high mortality to fall ratio. Identifying risk factors may guide future practice and prevent harm. Anticholinergic medication is associated with cognitive decline, mortality and falling. Methods: Data were used from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study (MELoR), an ongoing study to assess geriatric health in Malaysia, to

Introduction Music therapy (MT) can alleviate the behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD) but it is not a standard intervention. NICE recommends MT to improve wellbeing in patients with dementia. On our Care of the Elderly (COE) wards, MT is carried out by a qualified music therapist once a week, in groups, individual sessions, or both. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to establish what, if any impact, MT, as it was currently provided, had on BPSD, in the setting of a general district hospital ward, thereby also potentially setting new standards which could be used

Introduction Medications with anticholinergic properties can have significant adverse effects, particularly in older adults. An Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) score of ≥3 is associated with increased risks of falls, cognitive impairment, and mortality. Additionally, side effects such as urinary retention, visual disturbances, and constipation are frequent contributors to delirium. Aim To assess whether raising awareness of ACB within the Healthcare of Older People (HCOP) department can lead to a reduction in ACB scores. Methods Over four months, a teaching session and a poster was disseminated

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had lasting effects on the health of individuals, particularly older adults specially those with comorbidities, who are more vulnerable to severe and long term illness. Studying the post-COVID 19 period in the older population is relevant for understanding the long-term effects of the disease. There have been conflicting results on functional decline in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) in post COVID 19 older adults compared to their pre-infection baseline. This study aimed to compare

Introduction: Frailty and social vulnerability use deficit accumulation approaches to understand heterogeneity in older adult health outcomes. We examined sex differences in the effect of frailty and social vulnerability on 5-year mortality and long-term care home (LTCH) entry in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: We followed community-dwelling older adults 65 years and over who were assessed for public home care supports from 2005 to 2018 using data from the Resident Assessment Instrument. We conducted sex-stratified and sex-disaggregated Cox proportional hazards analyses, adjusting for age

The Effect of Infections on Telomere Dynamics: Insights from a Systematic Review Introduction Infections are linked to an increased risk of age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and dementia. Accelerated immunological ageing, which can be measured by telomere length (TL), could be a potential underlying mechanism. However, the extent to which different infections influence TL or its attrition is not fully understood. Clarifying these relationships could guide preventive strategies to reduce age-related disease risk. Method We conducted a systematic review searching six major

Background: Multimorbidity poses major healthcare challenges which contributes to a decline in quality of life and an increased mortality risk. There exists heterogeneity on the internal associations within multimorbidity. We aimed to explore multimorbidity patterns and construct networks, delving into the relationships among diseases. Methods: The data from the health examination records of adults residing in Southern China in 2020 were utilized. Individuals aged 65 and above were included. Fifteen diseases were extracted. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. The multimorbidity matrix

Introduction In people over 65, 1 in 6 drink at increased-risk levels and an estimated 1 million are malnourished. However, little is known about alcohol’s harmful effect on older adults’ nutritional status. Therefore, we measured the nutrient intakes and outcomes of older adults, scoring ≥4 on the AUDIT, at index hospital admission and at 3 to 6 months afterwards. Methods This mixed-methods project investigated the nutritional status at baseline and follow-up. Nutrient intakes were measured by 24-hour dietary recalls and compared against the UK Government Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNI)

Practitioners’ Perspectives on Medicine Optimisation for Older People from Ethnic Minority Communities with Polypharmacy in Primary Care: A Realist evaluation Introduction Medicine optimisation (MO) is a person-centred approach to support the safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications, aligned with patients’ preferences and needs. MO in older people, particularly those from ethnic minority communities (EMCs), can be challenging due to cultural, communication, and systemic factors. These challenges are increased by polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications to manage multimorbidity

Introduction: In geriatric medicine department of a large tertiary care university hospital, it was observed that multidisciplinary team (MDT) working was not standardised, morning huddles were inefficient, there was a lack of inclusion of all members in MDT meetings and the meetings were too medical focused. The aim of this project was to address these concerns through a multipronged approach. Methods: An initial survey was carried out with 34 participants from all disciplines of MDT. Areas needing improvement were identified from the survey and through discussions among doctors, nurses and

Introduction: Anticholinergic medications are associated with cognitive decline and increased risk of falls. This link is dose dependent and has been shown to decrease with medication discontinuation, therefore reducing the anticholinergic burden of patients represents an opportunity to prevent patient harm and improve quality of life. This project aims to improve patients’ anticholinergic burden (ACB) scores following admission to Meadowlands Care of the Elderly Unit and presentation to the Frailty Assessment Unit. Methods: We began by conducting two simultaneous audits in the inpatient and

Introduction The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) introduced guidance on implementing frailty assessment and management in oncology services in November 2023. Frailty-informed care has been demonstrated to improve outcomes. The RCP suggests that where the management of frailty is beyond the skillset of the oncology team, links should be built with local geriatric teams to ensure holistic care, responding to individual needs. Method We set up a referral pathway within an existing geriatric clinic at a district general hospital, facilitating referrals initially from oncology colleagues, then

Background Cardiovascular complications are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality perioperatively during non-cardiac surgery. This risk is significantly increased in those ≥65 and those who are frail. NICE and ESC both recommend that all patients ≥65 have a pre-operative ECG to assess each patient's risk of perioperative cardiovascular complications before any intermediate or high-risk surgery. This study aims to assess the risk of perioperative cardiovascular complications in those ≥65 with abnormal ECGs. Methods We analysed data from patients attending our combined

Introduction Dementia is a major challenge to healthy ageing, and research into dementia is essential. Including people with lived experience of dementia in research leads to higher-quality, more impactful outcomes. But successful engagement can be complex and routine involvement practices may not always be inclusive for people with living with dementia. This project aimed to highlight what is needed to improve public involvement in dementia research and support researchers in engaging those with lived experience. Method We collaborated with experts by experience (people living with Dementia)

Introduction: Limited evidence exists to support the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications in people with dementia (PwD); these medications may contribute to potentially inappropriate prescribing and be associated with mortality. This study aimed to investigate trends in prescribing of these medications and the association between exposure to antidepressants and anxiolytics and mortality risk among PwD. Method: A nested case-control study was conducted using record linkage of five administrative population-based data sources in Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2020. Dementia cases

Introduction: In the context of frailty, there is a call to reframe the goal from “managing the condition” to “living well with the condition”. Older people with or at risk of frailty who live at home can still lead fulfilling lives, engage with their community, and maintain a good quality of life, that is, age in place well. We need reliable and valid measures capturing the various ageing-in-place experiences of older people with frailty in the community to support them better. This expert consultation survey aimed to identify potential ageing-in-place indicators for community-dwelling older

1. Introduction At Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh 412 patients were admitted with hip fracture diagnoses in 2024. As part of the orthogeriatric review, bone health medications zoledronic acid and denosumab were utilised in this cohort of patients, where appropriate, to address the significant risk of “imminent fracture” in line with NOGG guidelines. The aim was to review January to June of 2024; 118 patients were evaluated, reviewing delays in initiation of these treatments to improve services and patient care. 2. Method Utilising hospital electronic records, a sample of patients were selected

Introduction: The exponential growth of the older population on a global scale, coupled with their escalating demand for care, has significantly exacerbated the existing shortage of qualified caregivers. This situation is particularly relevant in the Chinese context due to the weakening of the filial piety tradition, which places the responsibility of care for older adults (OA) on family members. Against this backdrop, there has been a growing development of smart technologies, such as care robots, designed to assist in long-term care for OA, which serves as a potential solution to challenges

Introduction: The Irish Hip Fracture Database (IHFD) is a national clinical audit that measures standards of care for hip fracture patients across trauma sites in Ireland. Early mobilisation is considered to be one of the most influential modifiable factors for improving outcomes post hip fracture in older adults. The development of a mobility standard within the IHFD has provided a framework for physiotherapists to provide early mobilisation for hip fracture patients nationally. Method: Each of the sixteen trauma sites in Ireland enter data into the IHFD. The data is analysed by NOCA and