1) Frailty refers to a loss of physiologic reserve that makes older adults susceptible to disability from minor stresses or challenges. It is not dependent on age, diagnosis, or functional ability. 2) Common features of frailty include weakness, weight loss, muscle wasting, exercise intolerance, frequent falls, immobility, and instability of chronic diseases. 3) Frailty exists on a continuum from vigorous to frail. Early intervention can help reduce disability and adverse outcomes like falls, injuries, hospitalizations, and death in frail older adults.

1. The Frail Elderly
Marc Evans M. Abat, MD, FPCP, FPCGM
Internal Medicine-Geriatric Medicine

2. What is Frailty?

3. Frailty
Refers to a loss of physiologic reserve that
makes a person susceptible to disability
from minor stresses.
An inherent vulnerability to challenge from
the environment.
Not dependent on age, diagnosis or
functional ability

4. Full forty years between age 60 to 100

5. Frailty
Functional status varies considerably
among older adults
– Portion remain independent in daily function
– Majority after 85 years need some assistance
with instrumental activities
– Frail elderly are severely disabled

6. Common Features of Frailty
1. Weakness
2. Weight loss (unexplained)
3. Muscle wasting (sarcopenia)
4. Exercise intolerance
5. Frequent falls
6. Immobility
7. Incontinence
8. Instability of chronic diseases

7. Associated Features of Frailty
Older Age
Female
Less Education
Lower Income
Poorer Health (Multiple co-morbid
chronic disease)
(Fried et al [2001], Community-based study)

8. According to Buchner and Wagner
The goal of preventive strategies is to reduce or eliminate the factors
that threaten physiologic capacity

9. Frailty as a Clinical Syndrome
Clinical Syndrome of Frailty
Symptoms
Adverse Outcomes of
Weakness
Frailty
Fatigue
Falls
Anorexia
Injuries
Under nutrition
Acute Illnesses
Weight Loss
Hospitalizations
Signs Disability
Physiologic changes marking
Dependency
increased risk
Institutionalization
Decreased muscle mass
Death
Balance and gait
abnormalities
Severe deconditioning

10. Stages of Frailty
Speechly / Tinnetti:
– “There may be a transitional state between
vigor and frailty.”
– “Earlier” stage of frailty – patient should be
screened and interventions instituted
– “ If lack of full recovery after an illness Then:
need for aggressive “Rehabilitation” after
acute illness and “Prehabilitation” when
surgery is anticipated.

11. Stages of Frailty
Late stage may not be reversible.
“Failure to Thrive” Syndrome

12. Stages of Frailty
Characteristics of Hospitalized Individuals with
Failure to Thrive
(Berkman B. et al, Gerontologist, 1989)
1. Mean age 79
2. Average of 6 diagnoses
3. Symptoms similar to clinical syndrome of frailty
4. Malnourished, dehydrated, skin ulcers, falls, pain,
cognitive disabilities
5. Very limited effective intervention
6. 16% die during hospitalization

13. Potential Causes of Frailty
1. Decline in function of multiple organ systems
(due to aging) = enhance vulnerability to
stressors
2. Hypothalamic – pituitary – adrenal axis (Central
regulators of homeostasis)
A. Older animals show decrease ability to terminate the
adrenocortical response to stress ; decrease
hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors
B. Prolonged poststress corticosterone elevation
contribute to catabolic state

14. Potential Causes of Frailty
3. Decline of growth hormone levels
 Contribute to decrease protein synthesis and muscle
mass
 Decrease bone mass
 Diminish immunologic states
(NEJM 1990 Rudman et al).
Clinical Trial: 21 healthy GH deficient men ages 61-81
receive rhGH
 Increase lean body mass 9%
 Decrease adipose tissue 14%

15. Potential Causes of Frailty
4. Changes in immune system may be due
to T cell dysfunction
– Increase lymphoproliferative disorder
– Susceptibility to infection
– Autoimmune disorders

16. Physiologic Contributors to
Frailty
(Hazzard et al: Principles of Geriatric Medicine)

17. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
1. IMPORTANT to recognize the vulnerable and
frail before adverse outcomes
 Recognize components that are reversible
 Recognize the syndrome early
2. Prevention of adverse outcomes (i.e. falls,
medication side effects)
3. Increase physical activity level of FOA
(improved strength, flexibility, exercise
tolerance, nutrition)
4. Prehabilition and rehabilitation prevent decline
associated with prolonged bedrest due to
illness or surgery

18. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
5. Improve Quality of Acute Hospital Care
A. Intensive case management – hospital-based
Advanced Practice Nurses intervene early
 Identify newly admitted FOA early, aggressively
monitor progress through discharge
 Coordinate efforts of health care team
 Educate staff, patient and families
 Bridge communication and clinical gaps between
systems (i.e. hospital  NH )
 Facilitate access to programs and services

19. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
B. Be aware “BEWARE” of “cascade” of acute
hospital care

20. Complication of Hospitalization
Hopitalization Functional Medical Medical
Symptom Intervention Complication
Restraints Thrombophlebitis
Confusion
Drugs Pulmonary embolus
Not Eating Nasogastric Aspiration pneumonia
tube
Restraints Thrombophlebitis
Falling
Fracture
Incontinence Foley catheter UTI / Septic shock

21. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
C. Early detection of acute illness
D. Delivery of medical treatment in least
stressful site of care (i.e. home)
E. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
F. Palliative Care alternatives for respiratory/
cardiac failure, weight loss, pain
management.

22. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
 Advantages of CGA
1) Creation of individual treatment plan
with a multidisciplinary team
2) Improve functional outcome
3) Improve patient survival
4) Reduction in hospital days
5) Reduction in readmission rates
6) No increase in mortality

23. Challenges and Solutions in
Care of the Frail Elderly
Elderly with irreversible declines in
functional capacity, QUALITY
hospital care may shift from
survival at all cost to improving
patient’s functional outcome.

24. Advancing Health and Well Being
Into Old Age in Filipino Society
(Philippine [Inter-Agency] and DSWD Plan of Action CY 2007)
1. Advocacy on prevention of common diseases
2. Conduct regular medical check-up of senior
citizens in rural health units (RHU).
3. Conduct care giving trainings to families of sick
and frail senior citizens
4. Conduct seminars on gerontology, physical
fitness program, nutrition education and dietary
counseling

25. Advancing Health and Well Being
Into Old Age in Filipino Society
(Philippine [Inter-Agency] and DSWD Plan of Action CY 2007)
5. Establish geriatric wards in government
and private hospitals.
6. Implementation of neighborhood support
services for older persons (NSSOP).
7. Ensure the implementation of the
Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition
(PPAN) as a blueprint and country’s
guide for action to achieve nutritional
adequacy for Filipinos

26. Have a good day!