At TRIL, we are very grateful to the 600+ people who have participated in ongoing research into how the ageing population lives. At our clinic, we have performed comprehensive health assessments on 600 people over the age of 60, many of whom travelled long distances to be with us. Everyone who participated in our research went through a thorough assessment and examination. This included a general health examination, blood pressure tests and physiotherapy assessments such as muscle and grip strength and balance. Participants were also interviewed by our researchers about their outlook and wellbeing and underwent some tests on memory function. These health assessments will help us achieve our goal of helping older people to live wherever they consider to be their ‘home’ with the aid of ground-breaking technology.
The participant’s experience
When a participant expressed an interest in TRIL or was referred to the programme, the first point of contact was a telephone call from the clinic nurse inviting them to come in to the TRIL clinic in St James’s for an assessment. Once in the clinic the participant signed a consent form and was assessed by a doctor. If any underlying or undetected conditions were detected appropriate referral arrangements were made.
A Case Study: How the TRIL team’s work can help change lives:
Tom had always been the kind of person who kept busy, although he missed his wife who had died a few years before he came to us. He had no children. He walked into town in the morning and bought the paper and then went for lunch with his friends in the local pub where the food was very good.
While working in his garden, Tom had a fall and suffered a minor fracture. He attended the Emergency Department and was admitted to hospital. Although he didn’t need surgery he had quite a lot of pain afterwards and he found it hard to carry out normal, everyday tasks or activities. He stopped going for lunch as he found the walk too hard, and he ate at home. Because he wasn’t a very good cook, he started to lose weight. All his everyday routines were disrupted - he stopped reading the paper and watched TV instead. Slowly his life began to shrink and he began to feel isolated. He came to TRIL and we were able to review his injury and refer him to Professor Kenny’s Falls and Blackout Unit in St James’s.
With the help of the TRIL team, Tom was able to put in place the hospital and community supports that he required to enable him to regain his independence. These included Clinical nutrition, meals on wheels, physical and occupational therapy and social work to make sure that he was aware of all of the services that he was entitled to. He participated in the Building Bridges trial for socially isolated people which helped him reconnect with his extended family, who are delighted to see Tom regaining his independence. He continues to contribute to TRIL research projects.
Read TRIL Participants Newsletter 2009
Read TRIL Participants Newsletter 2011