Five things we learned about dementia and frailty care in 2025

Championing better dementia and frailty care

Frailty and physical health are deeply intertwined with how people experience dementia, especially in acute care settings, like hospitals, and during transitions between services.

As Consultant Admiral Nurses for Frailty and Physical Health, our roles focus on supporting families and professionals to understand and respond to the complex needs of people living with dementia and physical health challenges.

Over the past year, we have had the privilege of attending and presenting at several key conferences, where we have shared our clinical insights, championed person-centred care, and highlighted the importance of recognising frailty within dementia care pathways.

Consultant Admiral Nurses for Frailty, Kerry Lyons giving a presentation.

Our five key takeaways for better dementia and frailty care

1. Frailty is under-recognised. There is a need for clearer definitions and better clinical tools to identify and support people with overlapping physical and cognitive challenges.
2. Carers need tailored support. Their emotional journey, especially during transitions like hospital admission or care home placement, must be acknowledged and supported.
3. Transitions of care are critical moments. Poorly managed transitions can lead to distress, deterioration and carer burnout. Proactive, person-centred planning is essential.
4. Physical health matters in dementia care. Pain, infection and sensory impairments can all influence behaviour and wellbeing. Addressing these can improve quality of life.
5. Integrated training is key. Professionals across health and social care services need shared understanding and language around frailty and dementia to deliver joined-up, compassionate care.

We have attended conferences like The Royal College of Nursing Masterclass to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Show this year to speak about the role of Consultant Admiral Nurses in supporting people with frailty and physical health.

We helped to explain how Admiral Nurses are in the community, online and on the phone. We also spoke about the impact of physical health conditions, such as pain, infection and sensory loss, on behaviour and wellbeing in dementia.

Attending conferences is a vital part of our roles as Consultant Admiral Nurses. It allows us to:

• raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by people living with dementia and frailty
• share best practice and showcase the impact of our specialist roles in improving outcomes for people with dementia
• learn from others, including researchers, clinicians and carers, to enhance our own practice
• build networks that support collaborative working across disciplines and sectors
• stay informed about emerging evidence, innovations, and policy developments in dementia care

Kerry Lyons, Consultant Admiral Nurse for frailty presenting a Dementia UK stand at a conference.

Each conference reminds us that while dementia care is evolving, there’s still so much to do, especially in recognising the role of frailty in shaping people’s experiences. By learning from others and sharing what we have discovered, we can keep improving the support families receive.

Read more from Consultant Admiral Nurses Kerry Lyons and Melissa Grundy.

If you would like to access specialist support, check out our pages on frailty or contact our Admiral Nurse Helpline.