Developing a Regional Strategy for Older Adults Living With Frailty: Recommendations From Patients, Family Caregivers and Health Care Providers

Jacobi Elliott; Melissa Koch; Miranda McDermott; Veronica Sacco; Paul Stolee

doi:10.5334/ijic.6438

Developing a Regional Strategy for Older Adults Living With Frailty: Recommendations From Patients, Family Caregivers and Health Care Providers

Int J Integr Care. 2022 Sep 2;22(3):13. doi: 10.5334/ijic.6438. eCollection 2022 Jul-Sep.

Authors

Jacobi Elliott^{1

2}, Melissa Koch¹, Miranda McDermott¹, Veronica Sacco¹, Paul Stolee¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
² Lawson Health Research Institute, 750 Base Line Rd E, London, ON, N6C 2R5, Canada.

Abstract

Introduction: Health care organizations are increasingly recognizing the need to integrate the health care system to better care for older adults. We partnered with a local health centre to inform the development of a Regional Frail Senior Strategy for Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Methodology: Interviews were conducted with 12 older adults (65+, with chronic conditions) and family caregivers. 44 interviews were also completed with health care providers from across the region. To engage with a range of stakeholders on the strategy, four feedback fairs were hosted. Interviewees emphasized the importance of person and family-centred care, integration of health care services, issues of access, and further training and education for health care professionals. Findings and stakeholder feedback were synthesized into 14 recommendations.

Discussion: The data and recommendations outlined in this paper informed the development of the frailty strategy for a region in Ontario. Participatory methods and stakeholder engagement identified pertinent themes related to enhancing care for older adults with frailty.

Conclusion: The creation of a frailty strategy is imperative in recognizing and responding to the needs of older adults with complex conditions. Our approach may be relevant to other organizations and health systems interested in developing their own regional frailty strategies.

Keywords: aging; care integration; community consultation; frailty; health care; regional strategy.

Publication types

Case Reports

Grants and funding

This work was funded by St. Joseph’s Health Care London. We would like to thank the team from St. Joseph’s who helped to oversee the project: Elizabeth McCarthy (Past Director, Specialized Geriatric Services), Jennifer Speziale (Past Director, Specialty Mental Health Programs), Dr. Michael Borrie (Geriatrician), Dr. Lisa Van Bussel (Geriatric Psychiatrist), Kelly McIntyre Muddle (Past Coordinator, Regional Frail Senior Strategy) and Jody Glover (Quality Improvement/Knowledge Translation Facilitator). We would also like to thank members of the GHS Research Group for assisting with this work. And lastly, thank you to all of the older adult participants who took time to share their experiences with us.