Frailty Screening and Interventions: Considerations for Clinical Practice

Clin Geriatr Med. 2018 Feb;34(1):25-38. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2017.09.004.

Abstract

Frailty is recognized as a cornerstone of geriatric medicine. It increases the risk of geriatric syndromes and adverse health outcomes in older and vulnerable populations. Although multiple screening instruments have been developed and validated to improve feasibility in clinical practice, frequent lack of agreement between frailty instruments has slowed broad implementation of these tools. Despite this, interventions to improve frailty-related health outcomes developed to date include exercise, nutrition, multicomponent interventions, and individually tailored geriatric care models. Possible strategies to prevent frailty include lifestyle or behavioral interventions, proper nutrition, and increased activity levels and social engagement.

Keywords: Assessment; Clinical; Frailty; Intervention; Prevention; Screening.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Early Medical Intervention* / methods
  • Early Medical Intervention* / organization & administration
  • Frailty* / diagnosis
  • Frailty* / prevention & control
  • Frailty* / therapy
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Planning