A new service aimed at supporting older people who begin to be fragile, could reduce emergency admission to the hospital in more than one third and save NHS money, find a new study led by UCL researchers.
The results of the clinical trial, published in Lancet’s healthy longevity and financed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), evaluated the effect and profitability of a new service, which consists of six personalized visits in the home of a support worker, adapted to each person to identify what You need to identify. Stay well and independent.
Interventions could include home exercise programs, nutritional support to improve energy levels, improve mental well -being and increase social connections.
The researchers tested the service with 388 people, who were over 65 and evaluated that it had a “slight fragility”, in three areas of the United Kingdom (London, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire). Of these participants, 195 people were randomly assigned to receive the service, while 193 received their usual attention, without additional support.
Fragility is when someone is less capable of recovering after a health problem. It is common in people over 65 and increases disability, hospitalizations and care needs.
The participants in the trial were followed for a year.
The researchers found that the people who received the service had a 35% reduction in unplanned hospital admissions, which led to an average savings of £ 586 per person to the NHS during the year of the study.
The main author, Professor Kate Walters (Epidemiology of UCL and Medical Care) said: “We developed the new service in association with experts, elderly and caregivers, hoping to help people with a slight fragility to maintain their independence and stay healthy for longer.
“We discover that by providing personalized support at home to those in need, we can significantly reduce emergency hospital income and potentially release hospital resources. Our study demonstrates the impact of personalized interventions on the maintenance of independence and the improvement of general well -being “
The researchers found that there were additional service benefits, including small improvements in well -being, psychological anguish and fragility score.
However, the new service did not improve independence levels in self -care.
New research supports the promises of the Secretary of Health Wes Streeting to reduce pressure on hospitals and put more emphasis on community and preventive care.
The director of the NIHR Health Technology Evaluation (HT) program, Andrew Farmer, said: “Home health intervention can help older adults with a slight independent fragility, improving the quality of life and general well -being, while reducing hospital and care costs.
“When addressing key factors such as strength, nutrition and social commitment, it can reduce deterioration and need for intensive support.
“High quality research such as this is an important part of improving future health and care practice.”
With adequate financing and support, researchers expect the service to be available for patients throughout the country within two years.
Professor Walters added: “By investing in preventive measures, the health service can obtain the benefits of savings in other parts of the system.”
The investigation was carried out in collaboration with AGE UK, who helped provide the service as part of the trial.