TY - JOUR T1 - Beyond traditional medical intervention: improving the health and wellbeing of older patients JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 24 LP - 24 DO - 10.3399/bjgp22X718121 VL - 72 IS - 714 AU - Helen Burn Y1 - 2022/01/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/72/714/24.abstract N2 - As a GP with a specialist interest in geriatric medicine, I have reflected on the additional complexities that the pandemic has brought to managing our older patient population.The central issue has been that of balancing the risk that COVID-19 poses to these individuals, with that of the risks posed by prolonged periods of social isolation and inactivity during the extended periods of restrictions. One in three older people have less energy than before the pandemic, one in four older people are not able to walk as far as before, and one in five older people agree that they are finding it harder to remember things post-lockdown.1Throughout the pandemic I have advised patients that, if they are able to do so, they should leave their homes on a daily basis to engage in physical exercise and social interaction in whatever form is achievable for them. As we face another winter, this simple advice is important … ER -