Better care needed to prevent elderly hospital admissions

Data collected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed that there was a 40 per cent increase in the number of people over the age of 65 who were admitted to hospital for a preventable cause last year in comparison with 2007-8.

David Behan, chief of the CQC, said that this problem needs to be "quickly" addressed and that professionals within health and social care must "plan effectively" to ensure that older people are given the good care that they deserve. The data collected has shown that 530,000 people over the age of 65 were admitted to the emergency department of their local hospital in 2012 because of a preventable cause. Further investigation into admittance figures found that 10 per cent of over-75s and 20 per cent of over-90s were hospitalised for incidents that could have been prevented, had they had adequate care at home.

Stemming this rise in avoidable emergency admissions, which can be caused by conditions and accidents such as dehydration, falls and infections, is key to improving the lives of the UK's elderly, and this report calls for action to be taken. Preventative care in the home environment can help tremendously, through the use of a combination of care visits and independent-living aids such as home stairlift solutions.

Better health and social care at home are needed. Better care is needed to prevent elderly hospital admissions to help older people stay out of the hospital, with possible preventative care methods including more consultations from occupational therapists, who can recommend adaptations such as rise and recliner chairs as well as hoists, adjustable beds and stair lifts to make home environments safer. Other ideas for preventative care include ensuring that older people are being visited by homecare professionals who can check that washing, eating and drinking needs are met.

Source: Elderly emergency admissions rising

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