Quality standard

Quality statement 1: Identifying those at risk of a decline

Quality statement 1: Identifying those at risk of a decline

Quality statement

Older people who are at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing are identified by service providers.

Rationale

The risk of older people experiencing a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing will be influenced by certain life events and circumstances. Staff from a range of services could be given the skills to identify when these events and circumstances occur and to intervene to reduce that risk. Data from local health and social care services and an identified 'local coordinator' can also be used to estimate the number of older people who are not in regular contact with services but who may be at risk.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements that ensure older people who are at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing are being identified by service providers.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

a) Number of older people identified as at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing.

Data source: Local data collection.

b) Incidence of mental health conditions among older people identified as being at risk of decline.

Data source: Local data collection.

c) Incidence of admission to supported care facilities among older people identified as being at risk of decline.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers (such as local authorities, local NHS providers, housing organisations, fire and rescue services, and voluntary organisations) ensure that their staff in contact with older people can identify those at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing. They could do this by using data from sources such as local health and social care services to estimate the number who may be at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing, and by using an identified 'local coordinator' (such as village or town agents or community navigators).

Health, public health and social care practitioners (such as GPs, community nurses and occupational therapists) are aware of factors that are likely to increase the risk of decline in an older person's independence and mental wellbeing.

Commissioners (such as local authorities) commission services that work in collaboration to identify older people who are at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing.

Older people benefit from being identified as at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing because they will be helped to prevent this decline.

Source guidance

Older people: independence and mental wellbeing. NICE guideline NG32 (2015), recommendation 1.5.3

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Older people who are at risk of a decline in their independence and mental wellbeing

Older people who have experienced any of the following:

  • partner died in the past 2 years

  • are a carer

  • live alone and have little opportunity to socialise

  • recently separated or divorced

  • recently retired (particularly if involuntarily)

  • unemployed in later life

  • low income

  • recently experienced or developed a health problem (whether or not it led to admission to hospital)

  • had to give up driving

  • age-related disability

  • aged 80 or older.

[Adapted from NICE's guideline on older people: independence and mental wellbeing, recommendation 1.5.3]