Belgian frailty day

Demographic ageing is one of the most serious challenges that Europe is currently facing. Older people are at greater risk of  becoming frail and develop disability. However, since frailty is not an inevitable consequence of ageing, it can be prevented and treated to foster a longer and healthier life. Belgium participates in ADVANTAGE, the first EU Joint Action on Frailty.

This symposium brings Belgian policy makers, officials from public administrations, scientists, representatives of professional and care organisations and other stakeholders involved in the health and/or care of older people together. Participants will:

• receive intermediate results of the EU joint action
• exchange experiences on current activities in Belgium on frailty
• discuss needs and challenges for the future
• have the opportunity for networking.

Program

Morning program

09.00 Welcome | Herman Van Oyen, Sciensano/Belgian Association of Public Health

09.10 Opening | Pedro Facon, Director-General Healthcare, FPS Public Health, Secretary Interministerial Conference Health  slides

09.30 Frailty: basis, burden and challenges for public health | Fanny Buckinx, ULiège abstract slides

09.50 ADVANTAGE JA: the first European Joint Action on the prevention of frailty | Johan Van der Heyden, Sciensano  abstract slides

10.10 Interprofessional collaboration within primary care level | Marlène Karam, UCLouvain  abstract slides

10.30 Is spousal caregiving associated with an increased risk of frailty | Florence Potier, CHU Dinant UCL  abstract slides

10.50 Frailty management to age in place. Constructing Inclusive Care | Emily Verté, VUB/UA  abstract slides

11.10 Break

11.25 Towards care integration for frail, community dwelling older people: the contribution of case management in the Protocol3 projects | Anne-Sophie Lambert, UCLouvain  abstract slides

11.45 Integrated care for frailty: Lessons from ADVANTAGE JA | Anne Hendry, University of the West of Scotland, Work Package 7 Leader, ADVANTAGE JA, Senior Associate, International Foundation for Integrated Care  abstract slides

12.15 Panel discussion moderated by Jean Macq, UCLouvain

12.45 Lunch Break

Afternoon program

14.00 Brussels study on the early predictors of frailty – the BUTTERFLY project | Ivan Bautmans, VUB  abstract slides

14.20 Detection of multidimensional frailty in community dwelling older people| Nico De Witte, VUB/Hogeschool Gent  abstract slides

14.40 Ultrasonographic muscle screening in combination with gait analysis: the ultimate combo in frailty screening | Anne-Marie De Cock, UA/ZNA  abstract slides

14.55 Critical reflections on the blind sides of frailty in later life: results and insights from the D‑SCOPE project | Liesbeth De Donder, VUB  abstract slides

15.15 Implementing a health policy with focus on prevention in Flemish nursing homes | Stien Vandierendonck, Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven  abstract slides

15.30 Panel discussion moderated by Dominique Verté, VUB

16.00 Wrap up

16.10 Closing session & network event