Frailty is often defined as an ageing related syndrome of physiological decline. Frailty is related to the ageing process, simply getting older!
It describes how our bodies gradually lose their inbuilt reserves, leaving us vulnerable to dramatic sudden changes in health which can be triggered by a seemingly small event such as a minor infection or a change in medication or environment.
Older people that are frail are particularly vulnerable over the winter months.
Frailty can make us feel tired, even a small amount of activity can leave us feeling exhausted. So it is easy to retreat to the comfort of your armchair particularly in these cold months. But this can accelerate the frailty process and result in more muscle loss, especially in the legs, chest and heart muscles. As physiotherapists we advice that you should exercise daily in your own home if you are unable to get out. It could be using your flight of stairs, carrying out sit to stand exercises from a firm chair. We are happy to provide personalised exercise plans for you.
Fuel is an important feature of your well being, you will not feel like exercising if you are not eating well and regularly. Weight loss is a characteristic feature of frailty as muscles become thinner and weaker. Many older people report a decreased appetite. You should have one got meal per day and regular snacks (hot and cold fluids too). Daily exercise will help to give you an appetite.
Older people are very sensitive to medication changes, as the body has trouble getting rid of the,. This means normal doses can build up in the body causing adverse reactions. Adverse drug reactions account for 6.5% of hospital admissions for older people. One supplement that is associated with a reduction rate in falls for housebound older people is vitamin D. Vitamin D is a combination tablet with calcium.
Frailty is measured by the frailty index and is used to measure the health status of older people. It serves as a measure of ageing and vulnerability to poor outcomes. It is often part of your assessment when you are admitted into hospital.
Frailty Index (F.I)=(number of health deficits present)divided by(number of health deficits measured).
Once you are scored on the scale you can not move back up on the ladder. Frailty is a long term condition, it is important to remember not all older people are frail.
Should you require some guidance for a home exercise programme, please contact us and we will be delighted to help 01245 377118
Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng159
