Two Knowledge Translation teams are working on projects to address frailty and dementia in the health system.
(Photo left to right) Victoria Casas-Alcuaz, regional clinical nurse specialist, Frail Elderly–Older Adult Network, Petra Pardy, Executive Director, Health Service Areas Chilliwack, Hope & Agassiz Dr Belinda Robinson, Regional Medical Director & Regional Department Head Geriatric Medicine
As B.C.’s population ages, more people with complex health needs are requiring hospital care. Conditions such as frailty and dementia lead to longer hospital stays and slower recovery.
Two Fraser Health teams recently received Knowledge Translation (KT) Challenge funding to help address these growing challenges.
Helping clinicians identify frailty
A KT Challenge team led by Victoria Casas-Alcuaz, regional clinical nurse specialist, Frail Elderly–Older Adult Network, is working to improve how frailty is identified and addressed in Fraser Health emergency departments.
Even a short stay in hospital can result in loss of strength and mobility for older adults experiencing frailty. Early identification can help care teams better support patients, improve recovery and reduce the risk of further health complications.
“The aim of this KT project is to embed the science behind frailty into a clinical setting,” says Victoria Casas-Alcuaz. “By determining how frail a person using a frailty score, clinicians, patients and their families develop a better understanding of the condition and even prevent it.”
Supported by funding from Surrey Hospitals Foundation, Victoria and KT team members, Ellen Posadas and Robyn Lillie, geriatric emergency nurse clinicians, along with Dr. Grace Park, geroscience researcher, are enhancing existing screening tools and care pathways. Their goal is to help clinicians identify older adults who may need early interventions and connections to community supports.
Building knowledge and confidence in dementia care
A second KT project funded by Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation focusses on improving dementia care across the region.
The project team, led by Victoria Casas-Alcuaz, Elba D'Souza, dementia clinician, and Dr. Zareena Abidin, geriatric psychiatrist, is developing a regional dementia education and knowledge translation framework.
The goal is to increase clinicians' understanding of dementia and build confidence in caring for patients living with the condition.
“We see patients with dementia in our hospitals and emergency departments, but we may not fully understand what they are experiencing,” says Victoria.
By providing education, resources and practical strategies, the team hopes to improve the experience of care for people living with dementia and better support their families and caregivers.
Learn more:
Knowledge Translation Challenge Fraser Health