054LAMP in Action: the Feasibility of Social Prescribing in the Medicine for the Elderly Outpatients

Abstract

Background: Social determinants of health include loneliness, social isolation and physical inactivity and are more common in older populations. Social prescribing is a means for health professionals to refer patients to community resources that will address these determinants. Method(s): We determined the prevalence of loneliness, social isolation and physical inactivity in the general geriatric outpatients and sought patients' opinions of the usefulness of the social prescription. Consecutive non-demented patients attending outpatients were consented to complete a standardised questionnaire comprising the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Duke Social Supports Inventory (DSSI), a modified Physical Activity Questionnaire and information on health service utilisation in the previous 12 months. A social prescription was generated using LAMP's website tool for each patient within the LAMP catchment area and the community assets returned for each were recorded. Ethical approval was obtained. Result(s): Forty-four patients participated; 20 were male. Most (93%) were aged 70-89 and 45% lived alone. 59% had three or more chronic diseases. 75% endorsed loneliness, 11% intense loneliness. Mean DSSI score was 23 (range 17-28) indicating moderate perceived social supports. Healthcare utilisation included 257 GP visits, 170 outpatient visits, and 357 inpatient bed-days in the preceding 12 months. They reported an average of 357 minutes sitting each day. The majority of respondents felt that the social prescription was beneficial and useful. There were 30 patients living within the LAMP catchment area. Each had access to a mean of 4.2 social engagement, 2.8 physical activity and 2.1 nutrition community assets. Conclusion(s): Social prescribing is a novel tool that is currently not widely used in clinical settings in Ireland. Our study suggests that social prescribing in the geriatric outpatients is potentially beneficial and feasible. LAMP's website resource adds a holistic and nonpharmacological therapeutic tool to the armamentarium of health care professionals working in medical gerontology.