05 November 2009
Experts in Sheffield discuss better care for the elderly
Leading policy makers, researchers and health experts from around the world gathered in Sheffield this week (2-6 November 2009) to discuss a project to improve the lives of older people.
The Easycare project, which has been developed by a team from the University of Sheffield and NHS Sheffield, aims to provide a better assessment and response to the health and care needs of the elderly.
Up to two thirds of older people´s health and care needs are not known to health services. The Easycare system, which is now influencing care for older people on a global scale, is used by health and care practitioners to interview older people about their vision, hearing, communication, mobility, safety and relationships, accommodation and finance, mental health and well being and staying healthy.
The Easycare system has shown that better assessment and early identification of potential health problems are vital to reducing the impact of ageing on health, increasing independence and well-being of older people and their families, and saving money by reducing the risk of emergency hospital admission or the need for care home placement.
During the week, the group have adapted the system so it can be used to improve the care of older people for use across the world, including Latin America, (Brazil and Columbia), the Middle East (Iran), South and East Asia (India, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan), Africa (Tanzania) and Europe (Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Albania and Turkey).
Professor Ian Philp, CBE, Professor of Health Care for Older People at the University and former National Director ("Tsar") for Older People in England, in the Department of Health, said: "EASY-Care is a simple reliable and valid system for identifying health and care needs of older people.
"The aim of our project is to ensure that we identify problems which threaten the health independence and well being of older people at an early stage through the use of the Easycare system. Our international network will be working together over the next three years to adapt, implement and evaluate the system so that it can be used throughout the world." Notes for Editors: To find out more about the week´s activities and outcomes visit the Easycare webpages
The original Easycare system was first tested in the UK in nine GP practices in Sheffield in 1994, and has been adopted by many authorities in England, and across Europe. The project is led by Professor Ian Philp CBE, Professor of Health Care for Older People at the University of Sheffield, Honorary Consultant at the Northern General Hospital and members of the Professional Executive Committee of NHS Sheffield.
NHS Sheffield´s Professional Executive Committee are a small group of very experienced Sheffield doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist, who are helping to lead improvements in health services in the city. The group see and treat patients every week and play a major part in ensuring their colleagues and patients views lead NHS Sheffield to developing quality, safe and innovative health services.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer at the University of Sheffield, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk or Lucy Ing at NHS Sheffield on lucy.ing@sheffieldpct.nhs.uk or call: 0114 305 1140
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