Coronavirus and older people

This resource series brings together current advice from experts within the BGS relating to older people and the current COVID-19 pandemic. We will develop this series as the situation progresses.

This information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. Members of the public, please see our information page here.

Topic:

COVID-19

Coronavirus: Current information and advice

A compilation of current official UK/global advice and publications relating to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Managing delirium in confirmed and suspected cases

This consensus advice has been drawn up by experts from the BGS, EDA and RCPsych. It should be used in conjunction with local policy and governance practice employed within your own organisation.

Good practice guide

COVID-19 and medicines advice for older people

Older people are particularly at risk from complications as a result of COVID-19 and many are likely to already be taking medication for other conditions.

Good practice guide

COVID-19: Stress, coping and resilience

Scottish Quality & Safety Fellows, NHS Scotland, have put together some easy-to-follow tips on stress, coping and resilience during this difficult time which they have kindly allowed us to share.

COVID-19: Geriatric basics for non-specialists

A selection of links and resources to help guide healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic who may have little experience of geriatric medicine.

COVID-19: Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in care homes

First published 30 Mar 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic raises particular challenges for care home residents, their families and the staff that look after them. This guidance has been developed to help care home staff and NHS staff who work with them to support residents through the pandemic.

Good practice guide

COVID-19: BGS statement on research for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research is an essential part of the global and UK strategy and response to COVID-19. This is the British Geriatrics Society statement on research for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Position statement

COVID-19: Health and care staff wellbeing

Links, resources and tools to help support personal wellbeing during a particularly challenging time for the health and care workforce.

COVID-19: Tools and templates

This resource brings together tools, templates and transferable examples of materials which may be of use across a variety of clinical settings and scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: End of life care in older people

This page brings together resources and information for any clinician or carer who finds themselves faced with providing care at the end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Dementia and cognitive impairment

This brief guidance was developed by Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia at NHS England/Improvement. It is applicable to those with dementia and anyone with cognitive impairment resulting from conditions which affect the brain.

Good practice guide

COVID-19: End of life care and dementia

This brief guidance was developed by Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia at NHS England/Improvement, and has been incorporated into NHS England publications.

Good practice guide

Keeping older people safe and well at home

These resources have been developed to help keep older people safe at home by reducing deconditioning and falls hazards, supporting people with conditions such as dementia or Parkinson's, and improving overall wellbeing to help to keep their minds and bodies active.

Age and Ageing journal: COVID-19 papers

A free collection of papers related to the COVID-19 pandemic which have been published in Age and Ageing which form an important contribution to the collective understanding of the disease and its effect on older people.

COVID-19: Rehabilitation of older people

This page brings together resources and information relating to the rehabilitation of older people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: PRINCIPLE trial for older people in the community

The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments for COVID-19 for older people and stop them needing to go to hospital. The trial is recruiting participants through its website and GP practices across the UK.

Identifying older people most vulnerable to COVID-19

This paper aims to summarise the concerns raised by the BGS about current government advice concerning those at greatest risk of the most adverse COVID-19 outcomes, which includes older people, and includes recommendations for how these should be taken forward.

Position statement

Beneficial innovations from the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland

BGS has published a report of beneficial innovations that have been implemented by members in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: COGER Study

The COGER study is collecting data to gain insight into the course of functional and medical recovery in older people affected by COVID-19 participating in rehabilitation across Europe.

Winter vaccines for older people

This winter, respiratory illnesses, including COVID and flu, are prevalent across the NHS affecting both older people and the healthcare professionals who care for them. It is important for both older people and healthcare professionals to be vaccinated to give them the best chances of staying well.

COVID-19: Treatment for older people in the community

This page brings together guidance and practical advice for the management of older adults with COVID-19 in the community, including drug treatment and examples of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Good practice guide

COVID-19: PROTECT Trial

PROTECT is a UK-wide clinical trial to identify treatments that can protect care home residents from developing COVID-19.

COVID-19: Frailty scores and outcomes in older people

This page brings together studies specifically examining the link between frailty and COVID-19 outcomes in acute care. It is intended that it will be updated every month following a review of the literature to provide an update on any frailty and COVID-19 papers.

Talking heads: Perspectives from the COVID-19 pandemic

Perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on members' mental and emotional health, aired at the BGS Autumn Meeting 2020.

COVID-19: Preventing nosocomial infection in older people

This resource provides practical steps that can be taken to protect older patients against nosocomial (hospital-acquired) COVID-19 on acute wards this winter.

Good practice guide