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Introduction: Although older individuals are more prone to hypoglycaemia, it is not known if they have sufficient understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia or the factors that predispose to it. We evaluated the effectiveness of hypoglycaemia education and examined the factors that increased susceptibility to hypoglycaemia among older people with diabetes. Methods: Forty-five patients (male/female) aged >65 years and known to have diabetes were identified through outpatient clinics at a secondary care hospital. Information relating to education received, awareness of hypoglycaemia and associated risk factors was collected using a standard questionnaire. Additionally, data regarding demographics, treatment regimes, patient attitudes, hypoglycaemic awareness and risks and barriers to self-management of diabetes was collected. Patients were categorised as low, moderate and high risk based on their responses. Independent sample t-tests and Analysis of Variance were carried out to identify factors contributing to high hypoglycaemic risk. Results: Overall, 70% of the patients reported receiving education about hypoglycaemia from health professionals and 95% of them reported good understanding of hypoglycaemia and were able to self-test. Proportion of women receiving education was, however, lower than men (52% women versus 88% men). Compared with men, women were less likely to recognise (59 versus 73%), or act appropriately to a hypoglycaemic episode (59 versus 78%). The mean number of hypoglycaemic episodes per year (41 versus 12) and the duration of hypoglycaemia (9.9 versus 6.3 min) was also greater among women compared with men. The duration of diabetes (P = 0.018), female gender, type 1 diabetes (0.002) and lack awareness of medications causing hypos (P = 0.006) were strong predictors of hypoglycaemia risk. Conclusions: There are significant gaps in education around hypoglycaemia in older people with diabetes. Women, people with longer duration and type 1 diabetes in particular, need additional attention and future educational initiatives need to address these issues.

than in 2002 (41%), P= 0.027. ABPM recordings showed significantly fewer undiagnosed hypertensive individuals in 2012 (14%) that in 2002 (28%), P< 0.001. Significantly more hypertensive individuals were optimally treated in 2012, (44%) versus (19%), P < 0.001. Minimum and mean systolic BP were significantly lower in the 2012 cohort, but maximum systolic BP and diastolic BP did not differ. Use of ACE inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blockers and diuretics had significantly increased over the 10-year interval. Patient reported rates of falls, dizziness and syncope had not risen significantly. Ischaemic heart disease was significantly less common in the 2012 cohort, P< 0.05. Conclusion: Hypertension in older people is better recognised and more effectively managed now than 10 years ago. This has not been associated with a significant change in rates of falls, dizziness or syncope.

Scope: Sedentary behaviour and bed rest in hospital are associated with multiple complications and worse health outcomes in older people. There is evidence that early mobilisation of those patients improves not only health outcomes but also general wellbeing and satisfaction with healthcare. This aspect of care is frequently compromised due to the time pressures experienced by clinical staff. We undertook a systematic literature review of studies that included volunteers helping mobilise older inpatients. Search methods: We searched Cochrane, Medline, Embase, CINNAHL, Amed and Google databases using MeSH headings and keywords within six key themes: inpatients, older, exercise, delirium, falls and volunteers. The abstracts were screened first independently then jointly by two reviewers. Full texts of relevant articles were retrieved. Reference lists were reviewed. Hospital based studies, projects or programmes in which volunteers (+/staff members) were used to assist mobilisation in medical inpatients aged over 65 were included. Multi – intervention trials were included if mobilisation was part of the protocol. We excluded studies limited to a single disease such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease. Results: 1677 papers were identified and the titles and abstracts were screened. Only four studies fulfilled the search criteria and were included in the final review. Multiple scientific abstracts related to one controlled study which included volunteer assisted mobilisation as part of the delirium prevention multi-intervention (HELP).Three observational studies were identified only on Google but were poorly evaluated or still on-going. The data available indicated a positive effect of volunteers on patient and staff satisfaction with care. Conclusions: There is a lack of randomised controlled trials of volunteer assisted mobilisation of older inpatients. When adopted as part of delirium prevention programme volunteers contributed to improved outcomes. There is insufficient evidence to provide guidance on the use of volunteers specifically to deliver mobility assistance to older inpatients.