Older People Resources

Community hospitals bridge the gap between primary and secondary care. They are geographically diverse local assets that offer a range of services, although inpatient services often focus on rehabilitation, most commonly for stroke and older people. Community hospitals are person-centred in their approach, nurse-led and work in a multidisciplinary way to support people to achieve their goals, maintain independence,  and improve health and wellbeing assets. The model of care, including medical support, has evolved over the 150 years they have been in place, in response to local and systems’
needs, including the development of enhanced and advanced roles. Covid-19 demonstrated flexibility, innovation and resilience to support local communities and the wider health and care system. Community hospitals are valued by the people and  communities they serve and have a part to play in the future health and care landscape, improving the care of older people.

Diagnosing and managing lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women aged 65 years and over is important to ensure their health and wellbeing. This article explores how to diagnose lower UTI, considering alternative diagnoses especially in older adults, as their symptoms may mimic UTI but may indicate other underlying conditions. It also looks at how to manage and treat uncomplicated lower UTI and provides guidance on recurrent UTI, usually  defined as three or more episodes in a year.

Eating difficulties affect many older people and can be a short or long-term issue, while poor nutritional status can have a huge impact upon older people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life. Nurses, carers and relatives need to identify potential problems with older patients’ nutrition so that they can manage any issues successfully. Providing adequate nutrition for older people requires a multidisciplinary approach, with the aim of improving patients’ nutrition by assessing any barriers to successful eating. Often, being alert to very subtle issues and addressing them is the key to success in helping older people achieve a healthy diet. This article will highlight some of the issues that may affect older people and lead to under-nutrition. It also provides some simple preventative measures.

Independent Age is a charity that provides an established voice for older people, the greatest users of the NHS. As we continue to live longer, putting more strain on services, we all need to prepare for what might be an uncertain future. As more people live for longer with chronic conditions, they will need support, much of it being required in the home.

Sue Thomas discusses current policies that influence continence service provision for older people.

Sue Thomas BA (Hons), RGN, RM, DN, CPT, is a Nursing Policy & Practice Adviser
at the Royal College of Nursing London.
Article accepted for publication August 2001.

Tina Fear, Helen De Renzie-Brett & Amanda Cheesley report on the findings of a small study which hoped to gain an understanding of intermediate care within the independent residential care sector
Tina Fear, RGN, ONC, RM, HV Cert, MA. Helen De Renzie-Brett, RN, BSc (Hons), Cert Ed., Dip D/N. Amanda Cheesley RN, Cert District Nursing, Cert Management. Article accepted for publication: May 2004