You are receiving this leaflet because you have been referred to the Acute Frailty Team.
The Acute Frailty Team’s aim is to improve the quality of life for patients living with frailty in Gateshead.
What is Frailty?
Frailty is a word used in healthcare. There is no single definition of frailty, but it describes how our bodies gradually lose their in-built reserves over time. This means that you can become more vulnerable to deteriorations in your health. These can be triggered by seemingly small events such as a minor infection, a change in medication or your environment. It also means that your recovery from illness or injury may take longer or be more difficult.
People with frailty may notice that they are slowing down, feel more tired, are losing weight or feeling weaker. You may also find that you need more help with daily tasks. A person’s level of frailty can fluctuate and it is more common as we age, but younger people can also live with frailty.
It is important that we identify if you are living with frailty so that we can give you the right care both in hospital and at home.
Our Team
We are a specialist multi-disciplinary team consisting of:
- Consultants who specialise in Care of the Elderly
- A Specialist Frailty Practitioner
- A Frailty Fellow Doctor
- An Occupational Therapist
- A Physiotherapist
- A Therapy Assistant
- A Specialist Frailty Pharmacist.
How can the Frailty Team help me?
The aim of the Acute Frailty Team is to provide care tailored directly to your needs. We do this by performing a full assessment of your physical health, social and psychological care. We will look at all aspects of your medical history. This includes your medications. We will explore any concerns you may have regarding walking, nutrition and looking after yourself. We may also discuss your wishes and preferences for future care. With your consent, we will also talk to the people that know you best, including your family, friends and carers.
Your assessment may be completed by more than one member of the team, depending on your individual needs.
We know that admission to hospital can be disruptive and bring with it is own risks for people living with frailty. We therefore aim to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and to discharge people as soon as it is safe to do so.
In order to achieve this, we will encourage you to be up and dressed and to mobilise as much as possible. We would like you to be dressed in daywear during the day with appropriate footwear on.
From time to time, we may need to refer to other specialist services to help you, for example, dementia nurses known as Admiral Nurses. The team can provide support to you and or your carer.
Useful Contacts:
Adult Social Care Direct (ASCD)
Main contact point if you want to talk about any care needs you may have. Phone service open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Age UK Gateshead
Provides a service to those looking for help, advice or support to live well.
Rapid Response Team
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Team of nurses to support with acute minor illness or injury.
Also able to provide occupational therapy and physiotherapy to promote independence.
Feedback
We would be extremely grateful if you could leave the Acute Frailty Team some feedback about your experience of the team.
