Management of Frailty

Abstract

Abstract Frailty is defined as a medical syndrome resulting from age-associated cumulative decline in physiological, homeostatic and regulatory function across the multi-organ systems. This results in an exhaustion of functional reserve to cope with external stressors, and thereby, an increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. It is well-evidenced that this medical syndrome not only accelerates the detrimental age-related functional changes, but also worsens the prognostic impact of various chronic diseases. The global age care priorities are changing to tackle frailty in its early stages, delaying its progression to functional insults, and using a system approach to optimize the independence of older adults in living with frailty. This lecture will provide a critical update on the international guidelines of frailty prevention and management. Specific focus will be placed on: i) the application of a framework-based approach to enhance early detection; ii) multi-dimensional strategies at the micro, meso and macro levels to prevent and manage frailty, and iii) person-centered method to sustain the anti-frailty lifestyle behavioral changes. The lecture will be closed with a discussion on the implementation challenges of frailty management protocols across different health care settings. It is expected that the participants would have better awareness and professional insights on addressing frailty in aged care services.