Frailty In Older Adults: A Case Study

In addition to supporting the needs of those with impaired cognitive function, it is also important to be aware of the challenges a decline in physical function can bring. According to Dong et. al (2010) an increased risk for self-neglect was found in older adults who scored poorly on a test of physical performance. The same relationship was found among those who self-reported reduced physical function (Dong et al., 2010). Abnormal physical performance testing was identified in 76.3% of elder self-neglect cases referred by social services agencies (Dong et al., 2010). It has also been found that elderly adults reported to social services for elder self-neglect had an impairment in the ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living (Naik, Burnett, Pickens-Pace, & Dyer, 2008).

‘Frailty thy name is woman' emotionally refers to his mother 'Hamlet' (Act 1, Scene 2). While the term “frailty” has been around for a while, the use of it in a medical literature has only been evolving in the past 30 years. However, condition with similar meaning, was described back in 1914 in a publication “The Diseases of Old Age and their Treatment” (Nascher, 1914). In this publication Nascher describes a condition of his elderly patients as “senile disability” or “senile cachexia” manifesting in general physical weakness and mental impairments as a result of the aging process. Later, several authors use term “Failure to Thrive” while describing a multifactorial state of decline in elderly (Kimball et al., 1995; Robertson et al., 2004; Sarkisian et al., 1996). The search term “frail elderly” in PubMed.gov generated 8384 results indicating great interest by clinicians and researchers in this topic. However, despite the interest there is considerable uncertainty regarding the concept and definition of frailty (Bergman et al., 2007). Frailty is “one of those complex terms – like independence, life satisfaction, and continuity – that trouble gerontologists with multiple and slippery meanings” (Kaufman, 1994).

When aging statistics are looked upon in a positive light, it shows that 90-94% of people aged 65 or older and 70% of people aged 85 years or older are unlikely to experience the effects of dementia (Chapman et al 2). This means that the majority of seniors will remain present in their minds and have the ability to function cognitively equal to anyone else. In addition, recent research reveals “[t]he effects of the aging process itself have been exaggerated, and the modifying effects of diet, exercise, personal habits, and psychosocial factors underestimated” (Rowe and Kahn 143). Older adults who practice a healthy lifestyle, remain active and involved in their community, significantly lower

Comparing a well elder and a frail elder provides a better understanding of how the aging process is dependent upon the previously stated environments and contexts. M.R. and V.L. are proof that the individual’s environments and contexts guide the aging process. M.R. is a 90-year-old female who suffers from moderate dementia, type 2 diabetes and a history of falls and requires assistance with most of her ADLs and IADLs. V.L. is also a 90-year-old female; she is healthy aside from minor arthritis and leads a very active life, both physically and socially.

The aims of those studies were to estimate the prevalence of frailty, and its ability to predict outcomes in older patients as short-term outcomes in

Most of the mechanisms that cause aging are the same as those that cause disease process (Gladyshev, & Gladyshev, 2016). In fact, aging itself is a risk factor for many diseases (Gladyshev, & Gladyshev, 2016). Therefore, it is better to treat the condition of aging which ultimately treats age-related diseases, at the same time (Gladyshev, & Gladyshev, 2016). One method of evaluating aging and the progression of age related disease is by assessing their effect on the patient's functional abilities (Roedl, Wilson, & Fine, 2016). The functional assessment can be segregated into three levels, basic, instrumental and advanced activities of daily living (Roedl et al., 2016). The basic level are the activities needed for independence such as toilet, bathing, feeding, dressing, incontinence and transferring (Roedl et al., 2016). The instrumental level is needed to have their own household such as grocery shopping, housework, home repair, laundry, the ability to navigate some form of transportation, be able to use a telephone, prepare meals, take medications, and handling their finances (Roedl et al., 2016). The advanced functions are the highest and include recreational, societal, family and occupation (Roedl et al., 2016). Specific test might include vision, hearing, mobility, depression, and cognition. The goal is to maintain independence for as long as possible. Function has an inverse

in this study where we are looking at factors that influence frailty in elderly people,

Thirdly, selecting feasible and suitable frailty assessment tool is a mandatory in clinical settings. From our findings, multiple tools were applying in this particular population. Those tools had both pros and cons in evaluating frailty in clinical settings. Based on our review, the Fried Frailty Index (Fried Frailty Phenotype) has only five components, but it needs a specific device (hand grip measurement) and well-training personnel for assessment frailty. The accumulation deficits model as Frailty Index (FI) has an advantage on flexibility analysis of preexisting database; however, it has numerous variables and time-consuming for assessing frailty. The patient’s self-reported questionnaire, we found that only Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS)

Aging adults who are socially active and maintain or increase their interactions with others as they age have a slower progression of health declines than elderly people who become less socially engaged over time. These aging adults who are

Advancing age is associated with a higher prevalence of both acute and chronic disease and an increasing risk of becoming functionally dependent. Roughly, 5.3% of adults between the ages of 65 and 75 require assistance with basic activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, walking, use of the toilet, and transferring from bed to chair). Slightly fewer than 6% require assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (cooking, shopping, use of the telephone, household chores, and handling household financial matters). Functional dependence greatly increases the need for both acute and chronic health care and amplifies the risk of institutionalization. A number of excellent reviews address problems and issues in assessment of older

It is inevitable that as one ages their physical and mental abilities begin to deteriorate, however this is avoidable by simply making the time to perform regular moderate exercises. Such examples include walking, jogging, dancing, hiking, and swimming. Common aerobics such as these, are effective in providing physical strength, balance, and overall wellness. Additionally, the individual will be less likely to struggle in preforming his daily tasks independently, and will be able to prevent accidents such as falling. Furthermore, maintaining a proper diet is an essential quality required for successful aging. Older people living alone are usually unable to get their proper nutrition due the their lack of independence. Fortunately, if they have a caregiver, there is someone to provide nutritious and appealing meals. Also, they are more prone to dehydration, therefore, they should be drinking at least one and half to two liters every day. Well-balanced meals that incorporate all the essential nutrients will more likely give older person energy to sustain their physical exercise. As a result, when one integrates exercising and eating nutritiously, he will live longer and stronger by keeping his muscles, bones, organs and other

frailty, builds the basis for the intrapersonal disparities that promote a sedentary lifestyle in the

As individuals age changes occur physiologically that are part of normal aging. These changes occur in all organ systems and can impact an individual’s quality of life. The changes related to aging can be attributed to an individual’s genetic make up, lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary lifestyle. Being able to differentiate between normal changes in aging against disease process is important because it can help clinicians develop a plan of care (Boltz, Capezuti, Fulmer, & Zwicker, 2012). Creating an accurate plan of care for older adults will greatly impact their quality of life.

aging. The elderly of low socioeconomic status finds it challenging to participate in physical activity. The chronic stressful environment and chronic HPA (Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis contributes to negative coping behaviors. The article Active Aging and Inclusive Communities: Inter-Institutional Intervention in Portugal demonstrated the undeniable need for the elderly to participate in all aspects of the community, which includes politically, and culturally. The social aspect is as much a part of active aging as the physical portion.

Reported Edmonton Frail Scale (REFS). The REFS derived from the Edmonton Frail Scale which defined frailty using the accumulation deficit model. The REFS evaluated ten domains for screening cognition function, general health status, functional independence, social support, medication uses, nutrition, mood, incontinence, self-reported performance. A total REFS score is 18, the scores of 12–18 is severe frailty, score 10–11 is moderate frailty, scores 8–9 is mild frailty, scores 6–7 is apparently frail and scores 0–5 is non-frail (Hilmer et al.,