Posters

Introduction: Despite it's known deliriogenic properties, and contrary to trust guidelines, lorazepam is often used first line in the management of delirium at Manchester Royal Infirmary without a documented rationale. This project aims to improve adherence to trust delirium guidance - reducing the use of lorazepam in the pharmacological management of delirium and improving compliance with non-pharmacological elements. Methods: Case identification was carried out using the hospital's Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system, Epic®. A report was created to display patients with a coded diagnosis

Background Loneliness is common among older adults and linked to poor health outcomes. In the UK, around 1.4 million older people experience frequent loneliness, a number expected to rise. Despite its impact, loneliness is often unrecognized in acute hospitals. The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-3) is a brief, validated 3-item tool with 77% sensitivity and 61% specificity, suitable for routine geriatric screening. Objectives · Assess feasibility of UCLA-3 for rapid loneliness screening · Determine loneliness prevalence in older inpatients · Explore integration of UCLA-3 into geriatric

Background 'Instant Ageing' technologies and simulated ward rounds are established parts of geriatric medicine teaching in many centres. However, these once innovative methods received negative feedback when delivered during our undergraduate BMBS programme. We set out to explore whether adding gamification to established teaching methods could enhance student knowledge, attitudes towards frailty and perceptions of their attachment. Methods We designed a 'Frailty Escape Room' where students rotated around stations completing tasks related to falls, polypharmacy, delirium, frailty assessment

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

Background Pathways into care homes represent a critical yet under-researched aspect of decision-making for individuals, families, and professionals. Prior research links recent psychiatric hospital discharge to higher risk of care home entry from hospital. This retrospective cohort study used linked health and care home data to identify predictors of care home admission following psychiatric hospital discharge within the previous six months. Methods We included adults moving-in to care homes between 1/4/13 and 31/3/16, recorded in the Scottish Care Home Census. Data were linked to inpatient

Introduction Lumbar spinal stenosis is a disabling condition affecting older people and there is a need to provide effective rehabilitation. The BOOST programme is a group physical and psychological intervention for people with spinal stenosis that we evaluated in the BOOST randomised controlled trial (RCT). The BOOST programme significantly improved walking at 6 and 12 months, reduced falling risk and was cost-effective compared to best practice advice. Disability improved at 6 months. Method A two-stage implementation study. Stage 1: We worked with stakeholders to optimise the programme for

Introduction Regular exercise to improve muscle strength and balance is recommended for older people. Providing extra protein to older people may enhance the benefits of exercise especially in people who have insufficient dietary protein. Our study evaluated the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial to evaluate the effectiveness of mobility and strength training +/- protein supplements for pre-frail/frail older people with low protein intake. Method A multi-centre feasibility randomised controlled trial in 4 NHS community trusts. Recruitment: via physiotherapy caseloads, an existing

Developing a model to predict mobility decline in community dwelling older people Introduction The maintenance of mobility is a priority for older people and is key to maintaining their independence. Declining mobility is an early predictor of loss of independence, reduced quality of life, increased health care use and death. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a prediction model to identify when an older person was at risk of self-reported mobility decline over a 2-year period. Method We used self-reported data from a prospective cohort study of 5,409 people aged 65 years and

Introduction: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing are common in people with life-limiting conditions. While deprescribing - a structured approach to reducing or discontinuing medications - is one approach to address this, its impact in this population is not well understood. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on outcomes of deprescribing medication in this population. Method: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PyscINFO and CINAHL was conducted to identify original studies reporting clinical-, medication-, and system-related outcomes

Introduction Measuring extended Activities of Daily Living (eADLs) is an important part of functional assessment. Several eADL scales are currently used, resulting in heterogeneity and lack of standardisation. Existing scales are potentially outdated, containing activities which are no longer considered relevant by older people. We aimed to explore the perspectives of older adults and healthcare professionals on eADL assessment to inform new approaches to eADL measurement. Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with older adults and healthcare professionals. Perspectives

Introduction Urinary catheterisation is frequently required in older patients on the Stroke Unit. However, inappropriate use significantly increases the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are particularly harmful in frail, geriatric populations. The appropriate use of catheters is necessary and strict documentation of the indication should be noted upon insertion. Research suggests more than a third of catheters are unnecessary (Saint et al., 2000). Recognising the need for timely review and if appropriate, removal of indwelling catheters is imperative in

Introduction: Genetic testing in medical practice is becoming increasingly commonplace. Particularly relevant to geriatric medicine and polypharmacy is the science of pharmacogenetics; the testing of an individual patient to check for drug-gene interactions, which can determine if a new or existing prescription is a good fit for them. We wanted to establish the prevalence of prescriptions for medicines that have a known pharmacogenetic target in a population of people admitted to a geriatric medicine department at a UK teaching hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis

Background: Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the second most prevalent cause of degenerative dementia, with many DLB patients eventually developing parkinsonism. Dopaminergic agents, although somewhat efficacious in relieving motor symptoms, risk exacerbating non-motor, and especially neuropsychiatric, features. There is also limited practical guidance on managing parkinsonism in acutely admitted DLB patients with impaired swallowing. Objectives: This summary narrative assumes a critical synoptic perspective of the literature concerning the use of dopaminergic agents in DLB. Here, we aim to

Introduction Literature reviews indicate older adults are less engaged in using digital technologies due to reasons such as fear of falling and perceived lack of time. However, there is limited literature on the facilitators and barriers to engagement in digitally enabled interventions, like remote exercise programmes with sensors, among older adults with frailty. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to engagement in digital interventions among community-dwelling older adults with and without frailty. Method Community-dwelling older adults at or above 65 years old across

Introduction Frailty is defined as a clinically recognised state of increased vulnerability, reflecting a decline in an individual’s psychological and physical reserves. Digital interventions, such as smartwatches, are increasingly utilised to monitor and support the health of older adults. Evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions in reducing or reversing frailty is limited. This systematic review aimed to investigate the types of digital interventions tested and the resulting outcomes. Method The following databases: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychInfo and Embase were searched

Introduction Falls are a significant cause of patient harm in hospitals. Effective fall management requires timely assessment, early identification of risk factors, intervention, and thorough documentation. A quality improvement project (QIP) assessed compliance with key fall management measures through audit cycles. The second audit cycle evaluated progress following interventions implemented after the first audit. Methods A retrospective audit was conducted to assess adherence to post-fall assessment protocols. Key areas examined included timeliness of assessment, documentation of vital

Abstract Introduction Dysphagia frequently occurs in movement disorders, leading to malnutrition and aspiration. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) provides nutrition directly into the stomach, bypassing the dysfunctional swallow. However, PEG insertion is a complex decision, both clinically and ethically. Although PEG outcomes are reported in other neurological disorders, there is limited research in atypical Parkinsonian syndromes such as Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). Insertion rates remain variable

Introduction Research has suggested that age-related hearing loss (ARHL) may increase the risk of dementia, an incurable and prevalent condition. Unlike dementia, ARHL is prevalent but undertreated and modifiable. In the absence of a cure and under the pressure of an ageing population, preventative strategies targeting dementia are crucial. This review therefore explores the association between ARHL and dementia in more depth and considers the evidence that hearing interventions such as hearing aids (HAs) may reduce the subsequent risk of dementia. Method A comprehensive search strategy was

The Mind-Body Connection: Developing integrated Old Age Psychiatry and Care of the Elderly Medicine services for people with Parkinson’s Disease: Service Development and Evaluation Introduction With approximately 17,300 new diagnoses per annum and the ageing population we are facing the ever-growing challenge of managing complexity in Parkinson’s disease (1). It is recognised that the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are as common and at least as disabling as the motor symptoms (2). These symptoms remain under-recognised and under-treated and evidence suggests that they are

Introduction: Mobility decline during hospitalisation is common among older adults and is associated with adverse outcomes including prolonged length of stay, institutionalisation, and mortality. While physical activity and sleep are key modifiable factors influencing recovery and mobility improvement, their relationships remain underexplored in acute geriatric settings. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational pilot study involving 15 hospitalised older adults (mean age 84.9 years) admitted to an acute geriatric ward. Participants wore wrist- and thigh-worn ActiGraph wGT3X-BT