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 [2] 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 [3].

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 [4]

09.30 Frailty: basis, burden and challenges for public health | Fanny Buckinx, ULiège abstract [5] slides [6]

09.50 ADVANTAGE JA: the first European Joint Action on the prevention of frailty | Johan Van der Heyden, Sciensano  abstract [7] slides [8]

10.10 Interprofessional collaboration within primary care level | Marlène Karam, UCLouvain  abstract [9] slides [10]

10.30 Is spousal caregiving associated with an increased risk of frailty | Florence Potier, CHU Dinant UCL  abstract [11] slides [12]

10.50 Frailty management to age in place. Constructing Inclusive Care | Emily Verté, VUB/UA  abstract [13] slides [14]

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 [15] slides [16]

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 [17] slides [18]

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 [19] slides [20]

14.20 Detection of multidimensional frailty in community dwelling older people| Nico De Witte, VUB/Hogeschool Gent  abstract [21] slides [22]

14.40 Ultrasonographic muscle screening in combination with gait analysis: the ultimate combo in frailty screening | Anne-Marie De Cock, UA/ZNA  abstract [23] slides [24]

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 [25] slides [26]

15.15 Implementing a health policy with focus on prevention in Flemish nursing homes | Stien Vandierendonck, Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven  abstract [27] slides [28]

15.30 Panel discussion moderated by Dominique Verté, VUB

16.00 Wrap up

16.10 Closing session & network event