Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess frailty, geriatric conditions and multimorbidity in people experiencing homelessness (PEH) using holistic evaluations based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and draw comparisons with general population survey data. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional observational study conducted in a London-based hostel for single PEH over 30 years old in March–April 2019. The participants and key workers completed health-related questionnaires, and geriatric conditions were identified using standardised assessments. Frailty was defined according to five criteria in Fried’s phenotype model and multimorbidity as the presence of two or more long-term conditions (LTCs). Comparisons with the general population were made using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and the Health Survey for England. Findings A total of 33 people participated with a mean age of 55.7 years (range 38–74). Frailty was identified in 55% and pre-frailty in 39%. Participants met an average of 2.6/5 frailty criteria, comparable to 89-year-olds in the general population. The most common geriatric conditions were: falls (in 61%), visual impairment (61%), low grip strength (61%), mobility impairment (52%) and cognitive impairment (45%). All participants had multimorbidity. The average of 7.2 LTCs (range 2–14) per study participant far exceeds the average for even the oldest people in the general population. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first UK-based study measuring frailty and geriatric conditions in PEH and the first anywhere to do so within a CGA-type evaluation. It also demonstrates the feasibility of conducting holistic evaluations in this setting, which may be used clinically to improve the health outcomes for PEH.
Introduction People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face poor health outcomes and extreme health inequity, and evidence suggests earlier onset of older age-associated conditions and signs of premature ageing. This is the first UK study to assess frailty in this population. The objective was to assess frailty, age-associated conditions, and multimorbidity in PEH residing in hostel accommodation, drawing comparisons with population data. Methods Participants were drawn from a hostel in London for PEH aged over 30. Age-associated conditions were identified using validated tools and a questionnaire modelled on comprehensive geriatric assessments. Participants’ keyworkers completed questionnaires to provide collateral information. Frailty was defined according to five criteria in Fried’s phenotype model: participants with three or more criteria are classified as frail, one or two criteria as vulnerable, and no criteria as not frail. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more long-term conditions in one person. Comparisons were made with population data from The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health Survey for England. Results Thirty-three people participated (83% of eligible residents), with a mean age of 55.7 years (range 38–74). Frailty was identified in 18/33 participants (55%), with 13/33 (39%) classified as vulnerable, and 2/33 (6%) as not frail. Participants met an average of 2.6/5 frailty phenotype criteria, comparable to 90-year-olds in the general population. The most common age-associated conditions identified were: falls (in 61%), visual impairment (61%), low grip strength (61%), mobility impairment (52%), and cognitive impairment (45%). Multimorbidity was present in all thirty-three participants. Conclusions A wide range of unmet health needs was identified. The high prevalence of frailty and age-associated conditions support evidence of premature ageing, indicating a need to include holistic older-age assessments in PEH at a younger age. Involvement of health professionals with experience of working with older people could contribute to improving health outcomes for homeless patients.
Introduction There are multiple drivers to move healthcare into community settings, including people’s own homes. Traditional healthcare training, particularly medical training, is largely hospital-based, and hospital-based models of care. Few professions have explicit training in how best to assess an individual at home, and the additional elements to examine when visiting an induvial in their own home. To meet this training need Croydon Health Services were successful in a bid for funding to develop training to meet this gap. With this funding, a programme was developed and after attempts at simulation home visits in the simulation centre, a virtual reality (VR) home visit scenario was devised and filmed in the community using a professional actor to simulate a housebound individual. The recording was then professionally edited by a specialist VR team to maximise its effectiveness including interactive educational elements. Methods A pilot study examining the acceptability of the virtual reality home visit scenario was designed. A user group of medical staff with limited community experience participated in undertaking the virtual reality scenarios, delivered via Samsung Note 8 devices combined with Samsung Gear VR headsets. Feedback was received from participants by standardised paper-based surveys. Results 7 responses were obtained. 100% of respondents described the scenario as easy to use, as well as agreeing that the same experience could not be gained from watching a standard video of the same scenario. 100% of respondents felt that the on-screen information was helpful. Feedback on areas for improvement suggested a desire for greater interactivity of other aspects of home assessment, and a desire to improve interactivity with the simulated patient, including history taking. Conclusions Virtual reality home visit simulations are an acceptable and effective tool to introduce new concepts to staff. Further development should aim to maximise interactivity in the scenario and explore options for greater interaction with the simulated patient. Further role out of the virtual reality is planned for local and regional training sessions.
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