Showcasing the best innovative practice in older people’s care
Inspiring practice emerged during the pandemic and the 2022 RCN Nursing Awards offer a chance to recognise skill and adaptability of nurses in all care sectors
There are many nursing achievements to be proud of during these difficult times, despite ongoing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staffing shortages because of sickness and self-isolation are affecting many services, and the implementation of mandatory vaccination in care settings and hospitals, while necessary, has brought an additional raft of issues.
Despite this, we at least have a better understanding of how to care for older people with COVID-19. Older people are a high-risk group for the disease because of age-related changes, decreased immunity and increased inflammation.
An emerging evidence base relates to key practice considerations, such as the role of nutritional interventions in the treatment of, and recovery from, COVID-19 in older people, which is explored by dietitian Stacey Jones and colleagues in our evidence & practice article Nutritional interventions in older people with COVID-19: an overview of the evidence.
Nurses strived to support social contact, reduce loneliness and isolation, and maintain face-to-face support
During 2021, Nursing Older People featured much inspiring practice that emerged from the care sector in response to restrictions on visiting and supporting older people in care homes.
Nurses have gone the extra mile to support social contact, reduce the risks of loneliness and isolation, and maintain as much face-to-face support as possible. For many advisory and specialist services, this has not always been possible, therefore alternatives such as video and phone consultations have had to be used.
In another of our evidence & practice articles Admiral Nurse Gayle Madden and colleagues evaluate the benefits and challenges of video consultations for carers of people living with dementia. Interestingly, the team had mixed experiences and felt that overall its support was more effective when delivered face to face.
A new year heralds a new opportunity to showcase innovative practice in nursing older people. The RCN Nursing Awards 2022 are open for entries and recognise the skill and adaptability of nurses in all care sectors. Why not enter yourself, your team or a colleague for the Nursing Older People category this year?
