Table 1 Themes from the older persons and carer focus group
From: Standard set of health outcome measures for older persons
Amongst many discussed, the groups felt the following were most important: | However, there were a few new topics and points to consider: |
|---|---|
• Social and community participation • Independence and remaining in own home • Quality of life and wellbeing • Avoiding inappropriate discharges and readmissions • Isolation • Loneliness and friendship • Physical disabilities – hearing, vision, continence, mobility • Hobbies and activities • Access to 24 h healthcare and social services • Avoiding falls • Delaying frailty • Care and respite for the carer • Malnutrition, weight loss and appetite • Physical symptom burden • Pain • Sleep quality | • Survival/mortality was seen as being less important than other outcomes – instead seen as inevitable and expected • Role in society e.g. formal/informal job or volunteering • Consistency of medical service/single coordinator of care |