Thread by @Trisha_the_doc

Next up at the #bgsconf meeting is @GrahamEllis247, talking about the Older People’s Strategy.

How do we address the health inequalities that afflict our country so badly?

#SDOH #inequality

So many challenges. Older people are often discriminated against and yet are also often quite passive in accepting what they experience.

#bgsconf

Older people are most likely to breach the #FourHourTarget in the #EmergencyDept.

#bgsconf

Work in @MidlothianHSCP on #Frailty revealed that greater frailty increase your chances of being admitted from the ED.
##bgsconf

Hospitals are, as we know, very poorly designed for older people.
#bgsconf

We need to look at the assets that people have as well as their deficits.

#Frailty #bgsconf

There are opportunities after the pandemic to do things better.

One of the many reasons I like @GrahamEllis247 is that he is eternally upbeat!

(He’s right, of course. We really can do better!)

#bgsconf

Let’s look at good stuff that we can do. What assets can we draw on?

#bgsconf #Frailty #RealisticMedicine

The road map of life has changed over the last few decades.

#bgsconf

Maybe this is where we’re now going? #bgsconf

So what are the risk factors for frailty? And how many of them can we modify?

#bgsconf

What can we do that’s a bit more “upstream”?

#Frailty #bgsconf

Adverts for fitness equipment always seem to feature young and beautiful people…

But actually older people can benefit more from what’s on offer in terms of getting fitter and healthier.

#bgsconf

And yes! It can be done. They are doing it in Oban.

Should we go and visit? @DarrieLorna @drlynnmccallum @sarahjhoran_j

#bgsconf #frailty #exercise

Proactive and preventive care is always a good plan!

But how do we get people to opt in to this and engage with what needs to be done?

From all ages and demographics.

#SocialInequalities
#DigitallyDisadvantaged

Early intervention is great. But we need to identify the right people and get them what they need.

#bgsconf

Another mention for @MidlothianHSCP and their #Frailty initiatives.

I know from my own experiences working there that a lot of their programmes have added great value to older people’s care.

The GP who specialised in looking after frail folk was excellent.

#bgsconf

We need to sort out both scheduled care and unscheduled care.

Getting people fitter before they become unwell has got to be a good thing, hasn’t it?

I’m doing my best… trying to stay relatively fit as I get older!

#bgsconf

Pre op assessment is now quite widely practised around the country.

(Shout out here to @JKDhesi who pioneered this years ago!)

#bgsconf

We need to think about unscheduled care too. We can still plan for that too!

Lots of talk about promoting #HospitalAtHome too. Getting a better balance of care.

#bgsconf

If you do end up in hospital, you’ll do better in a specialised unit for frail patients.

(Interesting as lots of older people say they don’t want to be in a ward with other older people.)

#bgsconf

More on #HospitalAtHome. A big push for this from @scotgov.

Some gaps around Scotland, including @NHSBorders where I now work!

Lots of good stuff about looking at things from an individual perspective and about the life journey.

#bgsconf

We need to talk about “Getting It Right First Time”. Not just for children, but for older people and indeed EVERYONE!

#bgsconf

Good care adapts to the individual person.

#bgsconf

We sum up with @GrahamEllis247’s laudable goal to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old!

#bgsconf