How to stay well in hospital

The online resource gives information on a range of topics including medication, frailty, pain and cognition, and features information clips with tips for older people and their families on how to stay well in hospital.

The resource also provides clinicians with evidence-based information on 16 different but inter-related topics: Assessment, Communication, Person centred practice, Dementia, Delirium, Depression, Continence, Falls, Mobility, Frailty, Medication, Nutrition, Swallowing, Pain, Palliative care, and Pressure injuries and skin tears.

Older people in hospital was developed in collaboration between the National Ageing Research Institute, the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services, The Clinical Leadership Group on care of older people in hospital, Victorian Health Services and a number of experts.

This is the third edition of Best care for older people: The toolkit which also features a wealth of supporting information such as stories from health services about innovative ways they are improving care for older people.

A series of audio visual information clips shows patients and their families ways to improve their outcomes during a hospital stay.

The clips are part of Get Well Soon, hosted jointly with Better Health Channel, that also includes a series of fact sheets on looking after yourself in hospital.

According to Associate Professor Briony Dow, Executive Director of the National Ageing Research Institute, the consumer emphasis is a deliberate strategy to give older people and their families and carers the opportunity to make the most of their health and wellbeing while in hospital.

“The Get Well Soon information clips, include simple but important tips about the importance of staying active, eating and drinking, understanding medication and asking questions,” Dr Dow says.

The site has been designed to be easily navigable, dynamic and to showcase the interrelated nature of the information. It also includes links to external resources that provide further learning opportunities. These resources have been assessed for their quality and relevance before inclusion.

“We hope that this new edition, featuring up to the minute evidence, supporting information and e-learning and professional development opportunities, as well as the ability to change and grow over time, will increase its reach and influence even further,” says Dr Dow.