Getting to know you: Kerry Lyons, Consultant Admiral Nurse for Frailty

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kerry Lyons as the first ever Consultant Admiral Nurse for Frailty. We caught up with Kerry to discuss her exciting new role and the importance of understanding frailty and dementia.

I have seen the struggles and challenges that families often face trying to get the right information, care and support at the right time. I wanted to be in a role where I could make these situations better for families living with dementia.

I have first-hand experience of supporting a loved one with dementia – I therefore absolutely recognise the value of having access to an Admiral Nurse, who are specialist dementia nurses who give expert practical, clinical and emotional support to families living with dementia.

What is it you love about your job?

I feel incredibly privileged to be an Admiral Nurse, supporting and caring for families living with dementia.

Within my previous Service Development Consultant Admiral Nurse role, I was able to support new nurses to develop both skills and services to deliver high-quality nursing practice within hospital settings. Growing more Admiral Nurse services within the acute setting is a strategic priority and I have been able to support significant development within this growing field of Admiral Nursing over the last two years.

My new post will place me in a more clinical-facing role, supporting families living with dementia and the complexities of frailty. In addition to this, I will act as an ambassador for Dementia UK in raising awareness of frailty and dementia, improving resources and related collateral to share with families and professionals, driving policy and influencing clinical practice.

Can you tell us a bit about frailty and why you wanted to specialise in this field?

Frailty is a long-term condition related to the ageing process in which multiple body systems gradually lose their in-built reserves. It is estimated that around 50% of people over the age of 65 are living with some degree of frailty, and some people experience frailty earlier in life.

People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, and such changes are more likely to result in adverse health outcomes and loss of independence.

Frailty often goes unidentified, missing vital opportunities to improve outcomes for families affected by dementia. We hope that the introduction of this role will positively affect this position by increasing awareness.

What does your role as Consultant Admiral Nurse for Frailty involve?

This is a very new post. I will be providing emotional support and practical advice to families affected by frailty alongside dementia through telephone and online contact. Families will be referred to me by the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, and the Virtual clinics team.

My aim is to help these families understand frailty and dementia and develop strategies to cope with the changes that they may face, now and in the future. This is especially important as it can be a real struggle for people to find the support they need locally.

My role also involves raising awareness of frailty, supporting other professionals working with families living with frailty and dementia, and developing new information resources.

What is your advice for families who are affected by frailty and dementia?

Families living with frailty and dementia, may face many challenges. You may be overwhelmed and feel like you’re on your own. I would always advise you to ask for help – and keep pushing for the support you need.

Families living with dementia always share with me the importance of being able to meet other people in the same situation – whether that’s through local support groups or online support.