Frailty

Understanding Frailty 

Frailty is not an inevitable part of aging and not all older people are frail, with around 10 per cent of people over the age of 65 are affected by frailty. Many older people continue to live independently while others may lose their physical and mental abilities, making them more prone to illness and injury.

Frailty can make it harder to recover from minor illnesses, such as an infection. This can lead to changes in your physical and mental wellbeing, a loss of independence and increased hospital admissions. 

Frailty can range from mild to severe. Some indicators of frailty are:

• Unintentional weight loss.
• Fatigue without reason.
• Muscle loss or weakness reducing ability to stand and walk.
• A decline in activity.
• A decline in memory.

Preventing and managing frailty 

We can work together with you to help prevent and manage some of the challenges experienced in frailty. 

To do this, you may be seen by a range of different health and social care professionals who will review aspects of your health and wellbeing, address your concerns and consider interventions that can improve and support your engagement in activities that matter to you. 

They will discuss referrals to community nursing, therapy, or voluntary services with you to ensure you continue to receive this support once you are home. 

The sheet below will be filled out by your healthcare team for you to take home. 

Name:………………………………………………………………………………….............................................

Ward:………………… Medical Consultant:……………………………….......................................................

Who you have seen: 
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How you will be cared for at home: 
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Any follow up appointments: 
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Who you can contact if worried: 
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Who may be involved in your care in hospital? 

• Medical consultant and junior doctors 
• Advanced Clinical Practitioners
• Nurses 
• Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists 
• Pharmacist 
• Dementia Specialist 
• Speech and Language Therapist 
• Dietician 
• Social Worker 
• Tissue Viability Nurses 
• Volunteer services such as British Red Cross and Age UK