Tessa Quinn
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a patient care program that aims to provide extra attention and care to older adults admitted to the hospital. It is an innovative model of hospital care designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalized older adults. HELP uses interdisciplinary staff and targeted intervention protocols to improve patient outcomes and provide cost-effective care. The program offers a range of services, including daily visits, therapeutic activities, early mobilization assistance, feeding and meal support, and a relaxation program, all provided free of charge to eligible patients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalized older adults |
| Goal | To improve patients' outcomes and provide cost-effective care |
| Target | Older adults at risk of delirium |
| Methods | Multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions, targeted intervention protocols, interdisciplinary staff, geriatric assessments, volunteer model |
| Activities | Daily orientation, early mobilization, feeding assistance, therapeutic activities, non-pharmacological sleep aids, socialization, companionship |
| Benefits | Improved mental, social and physical health of patients, maintained or improved ability to function, cost savings |
| Implementation | Adopted by over 200 hospitals worldwide, implemented in various hospital services and care settings |
| Resources | Website, e-learning modules, program manuals, video instruction, annual conference, national interest group sessions, coaching calls |
| Funding | Donations |
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What You'll Learn
HELP's partnership with the American Geriatrics Society
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a patient care program that provides extra attention and care to older adults admitted to the hospital. It is designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalised older adults. HELP uses interdisciplinary staff and targeted intervention protocols to improve patient outcomes and provide cost-effective care.
In 2020, a formal partnership between HELP and the American Geriatrics Society was established, leading to the creation of the AGS CoCare®: Hospital Elder Life Program. This partnership has resulted in the development of a range of resources for health professionals implementing the program, including a new website, e-learning modules, program manuals, and hours of video instruction.
The AGS CoCare® HELP program has been successful in returning older adults to their homes or previous living situations with maintained or improved ability to function. It has also been effective in preventing delirium, which is associated with increased rates of morbidity, mortality, and poorer long-term outcomes. The program has been adopted by over 200 hospitals worldwide and has extensive clinical and cost-effectiveness demonstrated in over 25 published studies.
HELP uses a multicomponent intervention strategy, including targeted interdisciplinary geriatric assessments and an innovative volunteer model. Volunteers provide personal, supportive attention to vulnerable older patients, assisting with daily orientation, early mobilization, feeding assistance, therapeutic activities, and non-pharmacological sleep aids. The program also includes a daily visitor program, a therapeutic activities program, an early mobilization program, a feeding and meal assistance program, and a relaxation program.
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Multicomponent intervention strategies
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a multicomponent intervention strategy designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalised older adults. Delirium is an acute disorder of attention and cognition with high morbidity and mortality. It is consistently associated with increased rates of mortality, longer hospitalizations, and poorer long-term outcomes. HELP aims to address these issues through a range of interventions.
HELP uses interdisciplinary staff and targeted intervention protocols to improve patient outcomes and provide cost-effective care. The program includes a daily visitor program to maintain alertness and orientation through socialisation and companionship, a therapeutic activities program to provide stimulation and enjoyment, and an early mobilisation program to assist with walking and exercise. The program also offers feeding and meal assistance, as well as a relaxation program to promote sleep without medication.
The HELP model also incorporates a structured curriculum for instructing volunteers to deliver daily orientation, early mobilisation, feeding assistance, and therapeutic activities. Volunteers play a crucial role in providing personal, supportive attention to vulnerable older patients, improving their mental, social, and physical health. This innovative volunteer model enhances the sense of security for older patients during their hospital stay and treatment.
In addition to volunteer-based interventions, HELP also involves targeted interdisciplinary geriatric assessments. These assessments address various aspects of patient care, including prevention of infection, management of constipation, pain management, and addressing hypoxia. By following the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, the program ensures a comprehensive approach to maintaining the cognitive and physical functioning of high-risk older adults.
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Delirium prevention
Delirium, defined as an acute disorder of attention and cognition with high morbidity and mortality, can be prevented by multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions. The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is an innovative model of hospital care designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalized older adults. HELP uses interdisciplinary staff and targeted intervention protocols to improve patient outcomes and provide cost-effective care.
HELP's targeted interventions include the Daily Visitor Program, which maintains alertness and orientation through socialization and companionship. The program also includes therapeutic activities, early mobilization assistance, and feeding and meal support. Additionally, the Relaxation Program assists patients with relaxation and sleep without medication, offering massage, relaxation tapes, and bedside musicians.
HELP's model of care has been adapted to align with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, incorporating the prevention of infection, and the management of constipation, pain, and hypoxia. The program has been implemented across various hospital services, including medical, surgical, intensive care, and emergency departments.
HELP has been successful in returning older adults to their homes or previous living situations, maintaining or improving their ability to function. With its extensive clinical and cost-effectiveness, HELP provides training and support for skilled interdisciplinary staff, and has been adopted by over 200 hospitals worldwide.
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Independence at discharge
HELP achieves this through a variety of interventions, including daily visits, therapeutic activities, early mobilisation, feeding assistance, and a relaxation programme. These interventions are provided by a multidisciplinary team, including geriatricians, social workers, therapists, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and specially trained volunteers. By offering companionship, socialisation, and mental and physical stimulation, the programme helps to maintain older patients' alertness, orientation, and overall health.
The daily visitor programme is a crucial aspect of HELP, as it provides older patients with regular social interaction and companionship. Volunteers read the newspaper, engage in conversation, provide company during meals, and take walks with patients, offering emotional support and helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. This social interaction is important for maintaining cognitive and physical functioning, as well as improving mental health.
The therapeutic activities programme provides stimulating and enjoyable activities, such as art, music, or games, which can enhance cognitive function, improve mood, and provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose. The early mobilisation programme assists patients with walking and exercise, helping them to maintain their physical strength and mobility, which is essential for independence in daily living activities.
The feeding and meal assistance programme addresses any nutritional needs, ensuring patients maintain a healthy diet and adequate hydration. Volunteers provide companionship during mealtimes, creating a social and enjoyable atmosphere, which can improve appetite and ensure proper nutrition. The relaxation programme is also beneficial, promoting better sleep quality and reducing stress and anxiety without the use of medication.
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Daily visitor program
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a patient care program that provides extra attention and care to older adults admitted to the hospital. The program has been designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalised older adults. Delirium is an acute disorder of attention and cognition with high morbidity and mortality.
The Daily Visitor Program is one aspect of HELP. It involves daily visits designed to maintain alertness and orientation through socialisation and companionship. Volunteers play a crucial role in this program by providing company and support to older patients. They may engage in a variety of activities with the patients, such as reading the newspaper together, having conversations, providing company during meals, or taking walks. These interactions not only provide social stimulation but also contribute to the physical well-being of the patients.
The impact of the Daily Visitor Program extends beyond social and mental health benefits. Volunteers also gain valuable hands-on experience in assessing a patient's medical condition, cognitive status, and physical functioning. They learn to develop and coordinate care plans and provide necessary interventions. This aspect of the program offers a unique opportunity for students or community adults interested in healthcare to gain practical experience and skills in patient care and geriatric assessment.
The Daily Visitor Program is just one component of HELP, which also includes therapeutic activities, early mobilisation assistance, feeding and meal support, and relaxation techniques. Together, these programs work synergistically to improve patient outcomes, maximise independence, and provide a cost-effective and holistic approach to care for older adults in the hospital setting.
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Frequently asked questions
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a patient care program that provides extra attention and care to older adults admitted to the hospital.
HELP aims to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalised older adults, maintain their cognitive and physical functioning, maximise their independence at discharge, assist with the transition from hospital to home, and prevent unplanned hospital readmissions.
HELP uses interdisciplinary staff and targeted intervention protocols to improve patient outcomes and provide cost-effective care. This includes daily visits, therapeutic activities, early mobilisation assistance, feeding and meal assistance, and a relaxation program.
HELP is for older adults admitted to the hospital who may be at risk of delirium or functional decline. It is also a volunteer program that provides students or community adults with hands-on experience in assessing and caring for older patients.
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