What is Frailty management

Frailty and the management of, is the process of caring for older people who have frailty, a condition that makes them more vulnerable to adverse health outcomes such as falls, infections, disability, and death. Frailty management can help improve the quality of life, function, and well-being of older people with frailty and their caregivers.

There are different ways to identify frailty, such as using clinical signs, screening tools, or electronic indices. The most common tool is the Fried Frailty Criteria, which defines frailty as having three or more of the following: unintentional weight loss, weakness, slowness, low physical activity, and exhaustion.

Frailty management involves a comprehensive and individualized approach that addresses the physical, mental, social, and environmental factors that affect older people with frailty. Some of the key components of frailty management are:

• Holistic medical review, which involves a thorough assessment of the person’s health status, medications, comorbidities, functional abilities, cognitive status, mood, nutrition, and social support. The review should also include a discussion of the person’s goals of care and preferences.

• Medication review, which aims to optimize the person’s medication regimen by reducing polypharmacy, deprescribing inappropriate or harmful drugs, and prescribing evidence-based drugs that can benefit the person’s health and function.

• Exercise and physical activity, which can improve the person’s strength, balance, mobility, endurance, and mood. The exercise program should be tailored to the person’s abilities and interests and include aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises.

• Nutrition and hydration, which can prevent or treat malnutrition, dehydration, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis. The nutritional plan should provide adequate calories, protein, fluids, vitamins, and minerals and take into account the person’s preferences and needs.

• Fall prevention, which can reduce the risk of falls and injuries by identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors such as environmental hazards, vision problems, medication side effects, orthostatic hypotension, and osteoporosis. The fall prevention strategy should also include education, exercise, assistive devices, and hip protectors.

• Social support, which can enhance the person’s well-being, independence, and quality of life by providing emotional, practical, and financial assistance. The social support network may include family members, friends, neighbors, community groups, volunteers, or professional caregivers.

• Palliative care, which can improve the person’s comfort and dignity by addressing their physical symptoms, psychological distress, spiritual needs, and advance care planning. Palliative care can be provided alongside other treatments or as the main focus of care when curative treatments are no longer appropriate.

To reduced the changes of becoming Frail graded exposure to exercises to maintain muscle strength and joint mobility so normal activity can be maintained for as long as possible.

We have help many clients maintain their independence well into their 90's and continues to do so.

MSF Rehabilitaion

Mobility Strength Function

Mobile Rehabilitation Home Visits

Online rehab program available

@msfphyiotherapy.com