Implementation of geriatric haematology programmes for the treatment of older people with haematological malignancies in low-resource settings.

In 2020, about 600 000 people aged 65 years and older were diagnosed with a haematological malignancy worldwide, and this number will increase to almost 1 million by 2040, with the largest growth taking place in regions with less developed economies. Health-care systems globally are ill-prepared to face this impending increase in the burden of haematological malignancies among older people, and geriatric oncology and haematology are not properly developed in most low-income and middle-income countries, as well as in many community settings in high-income countries. Here, we provide an overview of the status of geriatric haematology in resource-limited settings, with a focus on health-care systems, educational activities, availability of resource-stratified guidelines, development of clinical programmes, and ongoing research initiatives. We also provide recommendations for the future development of geriatric haematology globally, focusing on the creation of educational activities for health-care providers, fostering research initiatives, improving the inclusion of principles of geriatric care into everyday clinical practice, and building strong international and local partnerships among organisations.

Implementation of an Algorithm of Cohort Classification to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes.

Older adults living in nursing homes are the most vulnerable group of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many difficulties in isolating residents and limiting the spread in this setting. We have developed a simple algorithm with a traffic light format for resident classification and sectorization within nursing homes, based on basic diagnostic tests, surveillance of symptoms onset, and close contact monitoring. We have implemented the algorithm in several centers with good data on adherence. Suggestions for implementation and evaluation are discussed.

[Cross-speciality geriatrics: A health-care challenge for the 21st century]. / Geriatría transversal. Un reto asistencial para el siglo xxi.

Increasing numbers of older persons are being treated by specialties other than Geriatric Medicine. Specialists turn to Geriatric Teams when they need to accurately stratify their patients' risk and prognosis, predict the potential impact of their, often, invasive interventions, optimise their clinical status, and contribute to discharge planning. Oncology and Haematology, Cardiology, General Surgery, and other surgical departments are examples where such collaborative working is already established, to a varying extent. The use of the term "Cross-speciality Geriatrics" is suggested when geriatric care is provided in clinical areas traditionally outside the reach of Geriatric Teams. The core principles of Geriatric Medicine (comprehensive geriatric assessment, patient-centred multidisciplinary targeted interventions, and input at point-of-care) are adapted to the specifics of each specialty and applied to frail older patients in order to deliver a holistic assessment/treatment, better patient/carer experience, and improved clinical outcomes. Using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment methodology and Frailty scoring in such patients provides invaluable prognostic information, helps in decision making, and enables personalised treatment strategies. There is evidence that such an approach improves the efficiency of health care systems and patient outcomes. This article includes a review of these concepts, describes existing models of care, presents the most commonly used clinical tools, and offers examples of excellence in this new era of geriatric care. In an ever ageing population it is likely that teams will be asked to provide Cross-specialty Geriatrics across different Health Care systems. The fundamentals for its implementation are in place, but further evidence is required to guide future development and consolidation, making it one of the most important challenges for Geriatrics in the coming years.

[Colorectal cancer in the elderly. Surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and contribution from geriatrics]. / Cáncer colorrectal en el anciano. Tratamiento quirúrgico, quimioterápico y aportación desde la geriatría.

Age is the biggest risk factor for colorectal cancer, with 70% of the cases in patients over 70 years old. For this reason, a review is presented on the surgical treatment and chemotherapy of cancer of colon and rectum in the elderly. A search was performed in PubMed, including words such as elderly, surgery, colorectal cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and oncogeriatrics, and review articles and originals on treatment of colorectal cancer in the elderly were selected. A narrative form was developed from the latest evidence with the results obtained on the treatment of this pathology. Although the treatment of colorectal cancer is standardised, a prior comprehensive geriatric assessment is required in the case of the elderly, before deciding the type of treatment in order to offer these robust elderly-standardised guidelines for the robust elderly and adapt them for use in fragile patients.