What will older people’s care be like after the pandemic?
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What will older people’s care be like after the pandemic?

Nicky Hayes Consultant editor, Nursing Older People

At the time of writing, public restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19 are being lifted, but most nurses are required to adhere to ongoing workplace precautions and have not yet shaken off the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Nursing Older People. 34, 2, 5-5. doi: 10.7748/nop.34.2.5.s1

Published: 05 April 2022

Nevertheless, it is a good time to take stock and to think about the issues and opportunities that are likely to arise when we move on in post-pandemic healthcare, including the pressure on faster discharge from acute care (Feature, page 12), effects on community services and care homes, access to healthcare and management of resources.

It will be a challenge and an opportunity for nurses to maintain the focus on high-quality and dignified care for people who are being moved rapidly through the healthcare system. In particular, nurses will have the opportunity to build on developments of the past few years in our recognition and understanding of frailty.

I hope that Nursing Older People has been a useful source of professional support during this time, and will continue to be so.

This is my final editorial as consultant editor of the journal, although I look forward to continuing to support the journal as a member of the editorial advisory board (EAB).

I’m stepping down due to my retirement after more than 40 years nursing older people. Over the past 11 years it has been my great pleasure to work with Lisa Berry, Helen Hyland, the EAB members and the wider team at RCNi. I appreciate the commitment the whole team has shown for Nursing Older People.

I hugely admire Lisa’s skills as editor, her empathy for the issues facing nurses and older people and her willingness to engage with professionals. May I wish all our readers a satisfying and productive career in nursing older people.

‘Nurses will have the opportunity to build on our understanding of frailty in older people’

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