Care of the frail older person in diverse settings

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Care of the frail older person in diverse settings; A qualitative study.

  • IRAS ID

    203968

  • Contact name

    Antonia Lannie

  • Contact email

    a.lannie@dundee.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Dundee

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Research Summary

    There is a growing number of older people with frailty and as a result, an increase in demand for supportive care in diverse care settings. However, frail older people tend to be under assessed and undertreated. Reasons for this are due to multiple comorbidities that are needing to be treated, and a significant symptom burden which results in patient outcomes not being met.

    To explore the utility of the CGA (comprehensive geriatric assessment) tool in identifying the holistic needs of older frail people in different care settings. To assess how the CGA identifies palliative care needs for frail older people. To explore if the CGA captures what matters to the patient in relation to their wants and expectations.

    Ten frail older patients would be randomly selected within each ward setting that had the CGA carried out. The use of a sampling grid would ensure that the age range of 65–75, 75 beyond, different diagnosis and stage of disease and place of care.
    Twelve health care professionals would be randomly selected with differing roles within the three care settings. The care settings are two care of the older person wards and one hospital at home setting.
    In three care settings: two care of the older person wards and one ‘hospital at home site.

    The study will last over two years and the participants will undergo semi structured interviews and focus groups

    Summary of Results

    Findings revealed that all health care professionals had a interdisciplinary approach to caring for older people with frailty.
    There is preliminary evidence that hospital based interventions may improve disability in older people with moderate, but not necessary severe, frailty. There is considerable uncertainty regarding effects on important outcomes including quality of life and long-term care admission.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 01

  • REC reference

    18/SS/0019

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Apr 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion