2. Overview The frailty syndrome is a collection of symptoms or markers, primarily due to the aging-related loss and dysfunction of skeletal muscle and bone, that place (mostly) older adults at increased levels of risk for disability, dependency, falls, need for long term care, and mortality The normal aging process and presence of multiple chronic medical disorders can contribute to increased physical decline; this may place an individual at a greater risk of becoming frail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqZgOFVm6Y
3. Key components/ factors of topic Overlapping concepts of frailty, disability, and comorbidity Frailty includes both physical and functional decline Frailty always implies multisystem dysfuntion The cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal, renal and metabolic systems all see physiological changes associated with the aging process Frail health can be found in people of any age but it is most commonly linked with the elderly
4. Signs/ Symptoms Weight loss Fatigue Muscle weakness Slow or unsteady gait declines in activity
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6. 0=robust; 1-2=intermediate or pre-frail; 3=frailShrinking: unintentional weight loss of 10 lbs or more in the past year Exhaustion: lack of energy or vigor, or the presence of fatigue and tiredness Strength: loss of physical robustness, skeletal muscle soundness Slowness: a lethargic, unsteady, and unbalanced gait Low physical activity: inactivity or sedentariness
8. Common Medical Disorders That Contribute to Frailty Hypertension Coronary artery disease Asthma Pneumonia Arthritis Osteoporosis Diabetes Malnutrition Cancer Anemia Alzheimer’s disease Cataracts Hearing disorders Anxiety disorders Depression
9. Medications Elderly and frail individuals are usually on more medication than individuals of any other population
10. Benefit From Exercise Exercise including resistance, strength, and physical movement training can help improve gait and balance issues Minimize further weight loss and/or loss of muscle mass and strength Resistance training can help increase lean body mass and improve strength, exercise tolerance and walking speed Reduce risk of falling Increased socialization and self-esteem Promote independence in daily living activities
11. Risk With Exercise Increased risk of injury due to balance difficulties Prone to fractures caused by osteoporosis Low tolerance for hot and cold environments Susceptible to heat cramps, exhaustion, stroke, and dehydration Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
12. How it relates to your area of interest Group Exercise Instruction Need to understand individual ability levels to assess appropriate intensity Those who are frail have impaired balance which would put them at higher risk for injury in an aerobic class (STEP) Older frail individuals are susceptible to dehydration Exercise session duration cannot be too long; frail individuals fatigue easily
13. References ConsultGeriRN.org http://consultgerirn.org/topics/frailty_and_its_implications_for_care_new/want_to_know_more Durstine, J.L., & Moore, G. (2003). ACSM’s exercise management for persons with chronic disease and disabilities. (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
