The BGS was pleased that older people were prioritised for access to the first and second doses of the COVID vaccine. As the booster programme gets underway in the UK, this page brings together current information on vaccination, including BGS statements and useful external links.
The BGS SE & SW Thames Joint Region Meeting 2019 was held on 16 October 2019 in West Sussex.
This report is intended to explore how messages of prevention and healthy ageing apply to a population group that may already be ill and frail, and to the healthcare professionals who care for them.
'Fun' and 'safe' do not have to be opposite concepts, writes Susan Shenkin.
Trisha Elliott reflects on how she would like fun to be guarded when she approaches frailty in older age.
Consider whether an activity will bring joy to an older person over whether it is socially appropriate, says Jenni Mack.
Talk to residents about what they want to achieve and you might be surprised, says Caroline Benham.
Many of our most important and fun moments relate to our family, explains David Attwood.
The first article in our fun-guarding series, George Coxon sets out what fun-guarding is and why it is important.
This briefing examines evidence on falls prevention from the Cochrane Library.
Strong, Steady and Straight is an expert consensus statement on physical activity and exercise for osteoporosis from the National Osteoporosis Society, supported by the BGS.
In this study, the Otago Exercise Programme is enhanced with behaviour change techniques with a view to improving adherence to home exercise in frail older people
Ignoring older patients’ potential for personal growth could be a form of ageism, according to Prof John Gladman. “People can still have personal growth independent of the negatives of physical decline and social loss and we should be asking ourselves how we can encourage that.
Infectious diseases account for a significant proportion of hospital admissions and deaths in the elderly. Unfortunately the immunological response to vaccines in older individuals is less than that in younger adults. We assess best practice in immunisation programmes among older people.
The incidence of under nutrition among patients admitted to hospitals in UK is around 28% and is 25% greater in older people. Under nutrition results in longer lengths of stay in hospital. In care homes, 30% of residents were found to be undernourished.
The Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England is concerned about the significant impact that poor oral health is having on older people’s general health and quality of life.
Deconditioning and loss of functional abilities in frail older people may start soon after arriving in hospital. Many end up in a care home prematurely because of it. This campaign, with downloadable resources, aims to encourage patients to 'Sit up, get dressed, keep moving!'
This is the fourth blog in the BGS's 'Timely Discharge' Blog Series. We aim to raise awareness of the detrimental effects on older people of being stuck in hospital when they are 'medically fit for discharge'. Our blog series explores the causes of delayed discharges, the knock-on effects to the wider health and social care system, and what needs to change.
The BGS Twitter #GeriBookClub met once again on March 8th, to discuss ‘The Age of Ageing Better’, written by Anna Dixon MBE, who is the Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better.
Population ageing, both absolute and relative, is on every country’s agenda. The news is dominated by COVID, with the impact on older people at the forefront of the debate.
As we pass another World Cancer Day on 4 February 2020, I reflect on why I am passionate about promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle for cancer prevention. 1 in 2 people born after 1960 will develop cancer in their lifetime, and cancer is the commonest cause of premature death in the UK.
Did you know that your hand grip strength can be used to predict future health outcomes? Well, it can! Our recent study provides good evidence that lower grip strength is closely associated with an increase in risk of dying early, some cancers, heart and lung diseases.
The BGS Spring Meeting 2021 is taking place on 28-30 April. Click here to view the programme, register or find out how to join online live or on demand.
The BGS Autumn Meeting will cover the latest in evidence and best practice in the health and care of older people.
This virtual event is intended for clinicians and healthcare professionals working with older people at risk of falls
The latest scientific research and best clinical practice in healthcare of older people
The BGS has submitted a response to the Welsh Government's 'Connected communities - Tackling loneliness and social isolation' strategy.