News A reader gift is enclosed with this issue. It is a guide to the Care Compact, launched as part of the government’s Challenge on Dementia, which asks care home staff to support a set of ambitions to make a difference to the lives of residents and their families. Access it online at nop.rcni.com
Obese people are less likely to develop dementia, finds study
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
Dementia: Care Compact This guide has been supported by
This guide has been supported by
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11/03/2015 09:28
Older people’s nurses who are about to retire or have retired from the NHS or an NHS partner organisation are invited to become members of the NHS Retirement Fellowship. The Fellowship offers social, leisure, educational and welfare opportunities for approximately 17,000 members in England, Wales and Scotland. Find out more at www.nhsrf.org.uk Care England has appointed two honorary nursing advisers, Trish Morris-Thompson and Deborah Sturdy, to help it address the shortage of nurses in the independent sector. The organisation said the move would strengthen its networks and help develop policy on care issues. A practical guide to healthy ageing is available featuring information on activity, mental wellbeing, eating and drinking and caring for feet, sight and hearing. Published by NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, the guide is available at tinyurl.com/ozjtgm6 Age UK is encouraging people to ask their parliamentary candidates to take action on issues that affect older people. Find out more at tinyurl.com/ mj98zek The Law Society has issued guidance on the law on deprivation of liberty. It aims to clarify when the care of someone who lacks capacity to consent amounts to a deprivation of their liberty and when the authorisation process required by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards is triggered. tinyurl.com/lytanec 6
May 2015 | Volume 27 | Number 4
MIDDLE-AGED AND older people who are underweight are one third more likely to develop dementia than those of a similar age with a healthy body mass index (BMI), according to the results of a UK study. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and OXON Epidemiology analysed data recorded in a database during routine general practice over nearly 20 years, representing around 9% of the UK population. They found people who were underweight (BMI 40kg/m2) having a 29% lower risk than those of a healthy weight. Study author Stuart Pocock said: ‘Our results suggest that doctors, public health
Commission asks for ideas to create integrated service NURSES ARE being urged to submit their ideas and examples of innovative practice to inform a commission on improving urgent and emergency care for older people in hospitals and the community. The independent commission, launched by the NHS Confederation, is seeking examples of best practice from health and social care so it can devise solutions for creating an integrated service. The commission comprises leaders and experts from across the acute, primary, community and social care sectors, however, there are no nurse representatives. Nurse representation RCN professional lead for older people and dementia care Dawne Garrett expressed disappointment that nurses are not on the commission. ‘It is highly unusual and they must be very clear that the nursing evidence and voice is well represented in their report,’ she said.
scientists and policy makers need to re-think how to identify who is at high risk of dementia. If we can understand why people with a high BMI have a reduced risk, it’s possible that further down the line, researchers might be able to use these insights to develop new treatments for dementia.’ Getty
In brief
People with a low BMI were at a higher risk of dementia
Ms Garrett added that nurses have particularly good examples of best practice related to case management, preventive strategies and the work of community matrons. Commission chair Mark Newbold, former chief executive of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, said nurses’ input will be required in the commission’s work. ‘We would like to hear from nurses about any examples where they are innovating around urgent care for older people,’ he said. The commission will gather best practice until June, and will call on some of the people who have submitted examples to present their work in oral evidence sessions. Dr Newbold added: ‘We will want to recommend practical activities based on what we know is right for patients and what we know works in the field.’ Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams welcomed the commission’s focus, adding: ‘Health services must be proactive and make sure that people are not going from crisis to crisis, as can often be the case.’ The commission will publish its report at the end of the year and the NHS Confederation will implement a programme of activities in 2016. Find out more at tinyurl.com/ohx8n6w NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 15, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Obese people are less likely to develop dementia, finds study
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
Dementia: Care Compact This guide has been supported by
This guide has been supported by
CoverA.indd 1
11/03/2015 09:28
Older people’s nurses who are about to retire or have retired from the NHS or an NHS partner organisation are invited to become members of the NHS Retirement Fellowship. The Fellowship offers social, leisure, educational and welfare opportunities for approximately 17,000 members in England, Wales and Scotland. Find out more at www.nhsrf.org.uk Care England has appointed two honorary nursing advisers, Trish Morris-Thompson and Deborah Sturdy, to help it address the shortage of nurses in the independent sector. The organisation said the move would strengthen its networks and help develop policy on care issues. A practical guide to healthy ageing is available featuring information on activity, mental wellbeing, eating and drinking and caring for feet, sight and hearing. Published by NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, the guide is available at tinyurl.com/ozjtgm6 Age UK is encouraging people to ask their parliamentary candidates to take action on issues that affect older people. Find out more at tinyurl.com/ mj98zek The Law Society has issued guidance on the law on deprivation of liberty. It aims to clarify when the care of someone who lacks capacity to consent amounts to a deprivation of their liberty and when the authorisation process required by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards is triggered. tinyurl.com/lytanec 6
May 2015 | Volume 27 | Number 4
MIDDLE-AGED AND older people who are underweight are one third more likely to develop dementia than those of a similar age with a healthy body mass index (BMI), according to the results of a UK study. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and OXON Epidemiology analysed data recorded in a database during routine general practice over nearly 20 years, representing around 9% of the UK population. They found people who were underweight (BMI 40kg/m2) having a 29% lower risk than those of a healthy weight. Study author Stuart Pocock said: ‘Our results suggest that doctors, public health
Commission asks for ideas to create integrated service NURSES ARE being urged to submit their ideas and examples of innovative practice to inform a commission on improving urgent and emergency care for older people in hospitals and the community. The independent commission, launched by the NHS Confederation, is seeking examples of best practice from health and social care so it can devise solutions for creating an integrated service. The commission comprises leaders and experts from across the acute, primary, community and social care sectors, however, there are no nurse representatives. Nurse representation RCN professional lead for older people and dementia care Dawne Garrett expressed disappointment that nurses are not on the commission. ‘It is highly unusual and they must be very clear that the nursing evidence and voice is well represented in their report,’ she said.
scientists and policy makers need to re-think how to identify who is at high risk of dementia. If we can understand why people with a high BMI have a reduced risk, it’s possible that further down the line, researchers might be able to use these insights to develop new treatments for dementia.’ Getty
In brief
People with a low BMI were at a higher risk of dementia
Ms Garrett added that nurses have particularly good examples of best practice related to case management, preventive strategies and the work of community matrons. Commission chair Mark Newbold, former chief executive of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, said nurses’ input will be required in the commission’s work. ‘We would like to hear from nurses about any examples where they are innovating around urgent care for older people,’ he said. The commission will gather best practice until June, and will call on some of the people who have submitted examples to present their work in oral evidence sessions. Dr Newbold added: ‘We will want to recommend practical activities based on what we know is right for patients and what we know works in the field.’ Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams welcomed the commission’s focus, adding: ‘Health services must be proactive and make sure that people are not going from crisis to crisis, as can often be the case.’ The commission will publish its report at the end of the year and the NHS Confederation will implement a programme of activities in 2016. Find out more at tinyurl.com/ohx8n6w NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 15, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
