Empowering Older People's Care Summit: Raising Awareness of Frailty

People in the UK are living longer, but not always healthier, lives.

The proportion of people over the age of 80 is growing fast: there are currently three million people aged 80+, and this number is expected to almost double by 2030. The number of centenarians rose by nearly 75% between 2002 and 2012. This should be cause for celebration; contrary to popular belief, ageing is not inevitably associated with failing health but varies from person to person. Indeed in self-reports, the majority of people over 80 say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their health (Oliver 2012), and that certain aspects of cognitive performance improve.

For a significant number of older people, however, advancing age is associated with frailty, which while not a diagnosis, is a useful term that describes a collection of syndromes that contribute to ‘limited functionality’ and leave individuals more susceptible to illness or injury. Common co-morbidities such as dementia also contribute to frailty. About 750,000 people in the UK currently have dementia, and the number is expected to double in the next 30 years (Department of Health 2009).

Working in partnership, the NHS England and AGE UK - Older People’s Care Summit will explore older people’s care and frailty. Delegates will hear about guidance and proposals, produced by key partners, and will have an opportunity to network, talk to experts and review ‘What does good look like?’

The one day conference will explore:

• What is meant by frailty?
• What matters?
• Patient Experience – Older people’s experience of care
• Nutrition and dignity
• Personalised care and support planning
• Sharing good practice and intelligence

Delegates will hear from a range of expert speakers:

• Professor John Young - National Clinical Director for Integration & Frail Elderly
• Ruthe Isden – Health Influence Improvement Director, Age UK
• Catherine Thompson – Head of Patient Experience, NHS England
• Helen Lydon - Nurse Consultant Older People, Clinical Lead Frailty, NHS England
• Anne Moger - Practice Nurse Advisor, NHS England
• Sue Hill - District Nurse Advisor, NHS England

The conference programme has been specifically tailored to examine older people’s care and frailty, how care pathways can be implemented in practice and to provide a full understanding of future models of working and the benefits they are designed to deliver.

Who should attend? Commissioners, Clinicians, GP's, older people with frailty, family support members for older people with frailty, carers and voluntary organisations working within older peoples care.

FAQs

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

E: netiquette

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Underground Station - 4 minutes from Baker Street Tube Station