Chronic disease and ageing in the Caribbean: opportunities knock at the door.

Amidst rapid population ageing, the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases and their sequelae demand reflective and critical looks at the issue and the subsequent development of informed age-sensitive responses. This paper reviews the burden of chronic diseases in the Caribbean, and its relationship to ageing and the demographic transition. Inter-linkages between the social determinants of health, poverty, ageing, and chronic disease are illustrated.

Falls education for practitioners: auditing a three-tier learning approach.

In line with 2004 NICE guidelines, practitioners in West Dorset, England, are developing and maintaining their basic professional competence in falls' assessment and prevention. Local 'falls champions' have been appointed to assist in the education of all staff who work in older people's services in order to raise awareness and promote best practice. A three-tier style of education has been developed to allow staff to learn skills of assessment and intervention in relation to falls prevention.