Aging Population
Care of the Elderly (COTE)
How will climate change affect older people?
Aging populations are a particularly vulnerable group to the effects of climate change. Those with increased frailty are particularly at risk of deterioration following environmental stressors such as extreme weather events.
Air and water pollution exposure throughout life is likely to increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancers, heart and lung disease.
As heatwaves increase in intensity and frequency, the older populations will struggle to balance homeostatic mechanisms and increase the risk of morbidity and death.
Those with cognitive impairment are particularly at risk. They may not recognise the dangers of extreme weather and may not be able to keep themselves safe. Consequently they may be admitted to hospital due to dehydration, infection and delirium.
How is COTE Affecting Climate Change?
We should keep in mind that whilst patients are inpatients, our actions as clinicians can have environmental consequences. From the drugs we prescribe to the tests we request; everything healthcare does has an environmental impact.
If patients aren't taking medications or disposing of them correctly, there can be a huge amount of waste and potential leaching into watercourses.
As inpatients for often long periods of time, this is the perfect opportunity to educate patients and their families on keeping themselves and their loved ones safe during extreme weather events, and encouraging actions at home that will improve their health and reduce their environmental impacts, such as shifting to plant-based diets and active travel.
Discussion Ideas with Patients and Colleagues
Patients:
"Exercise, including gardening, is a great way to keep yourself healthy. Have you thought about joining a local community gardening program?"
"Who does the cooking in your household? Perhaps you could try having a vegetarian day or 2 a week? This would help your blood pressure and cholesterol and can still give you all the nutrients you need."
Colleagues
"Do you think we carry out too many blood tests on our patients?"
"Can we reduce the number of medications our patients are taking?"
The BGS have excellent advice on supporting older people during periods of hot weather. Click below to find out more:
Highest impact actions for COTE Departments
Introduce "Climate Crisis and Healthcare Sustainability" as a standing item on all COTE Governance Meetings
Use educational sessions to highlight the impact of climate change on older populations
Use Sustainable Quality Improvement Projects to encourage and highlight decarbonisation solutions in your department
Advocate more widely for plant-based diets and active travel as preventative measures of frailty
For More Information
Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) have lots of information on Sustainable Quality Improvement Project ideas.