Frailty
Frailty is a medical condition that happens when older adults feel very weak and tired. They have no energy, and they begin to lose weight without trying. They have trouble doing everyday tasks such as shopping, getting dressed, and using the toilet.
People who are frail are more likely to get infections. It's also harder for them to recover when they get sick or injured.
What happens when you become frail?
When you are frail, you may have trouble doing everyday tasks, like getting dressed, eating, bathing, getting in or out of bed, and using the toilet. You may feel weak and off balance and worry about falling.
If you also have another health problem, your frailty may get worse quickly.
What are the symptoms of frailty?
You may be frail if you have lost weight, are weak, or feel like you have low energy. The way you feel when you're frail may make you more likely to have depression.
How can you care for yourself if you are frail?
If you think you are becoming frail, see your doctor. There are things you and your doctor can do to prevent frailty or slow it down.
If frailty is caused or made worse by another health problem, you and your doctor can treat the problem.
Talk to your doctor about any medicines you're taking that might be making you feel tired. Many medicines, such as cold and allergy medicines, often cause fatigue.
Eat healthy
Food gives you calories, which provide energy and can help stop weight loss. Here are some tips for eating well:
- Eat more. Getting calories may be more important than avoiding fat for other reasons. But talk to your doctor about any changes you'd like to make in what you eat.
- Eat more protein. This may help you keep your muscles strong.
- Try liquid meal replacements, such as Boost, Ensure, or instant breakfast drinks. Smoothies, milk shakes, and milk also may help you limit weight loss.
- If it's easier for you, eat smaller meals several times a day, rather than larger meals 3 times a day. Do not skip meals, especially breakfast.
Stay active
Talk to your doctor about exercises to help build your strength and balance. Examples include:
- Resistance exercises, such as pushing against a wall or sitting in a chair and raising your legs. These are an easy way to tone your muscles.
- Walking, which can be good for your body. But ask your doctor how often and how much walking is best for you.
- Tai chi, which is moving in a slow, rhythmic way. This can help with muscle tone and balance.
Prevent falls
If you are worried about falling, here are some things you can do:
- Keep your bones strong. Talk to your doctor to be sure you are getting enough vitamin D and calcium.
- Take out raised doorway thresholds, and get rid of throw rugs.
- If stairs are a problem, put in handrails or a ramp.
- Arrange your furniture and electric cords to keep them out of walking paths.
- Keep your house well lit, especially stairways, porches, and outside walkways. Use night-lights in hallways and bathrooms.
- Use shower chairs and bath benches.
Stay connected
When you feel tired, it's often easier to stay home and not see people. But it is important to connect with others and stay positive. Being with other people can help you feel good and may help you stay healthier as you age.
Helping a frail older adult to be active
Talk to the doctor about exercises to help build your loved one's strength and balance.
Here are some examples of ways you can help a frail older adult stay active.
- Encourage resistance exercises.
Examples include pushing against a wall or sitting in a chair and raising the legs. These are an easy way to tone muscles.
- Go on a walk.
But ask the doctor how often and how much walking is best for your loved one.
- Try tai chi.
Tai chi includes moving in a slow, rhythmic way. This can help with muscle tone and balance.
What is frailty?
Older adults may tire quickly and move more slowly as they age. Everyday activities, like shopping or even getting dressed, can become hard to do. This may be a health problem called frailty.
Experts think frailty develops because of changes in how your body works. These changes can be caused by aging, a disease, or both. Your organs may not do their jobs as well, and you may lose muscle. Frailty also involves:
- Changes in your body's endocrine system, which releases the hormones, or chemicals, that affect how your body functions.
- Inflammation, or damage to the cells and tissues in your body.
Preventing falls for a frail older adult
People who are frail don't recover as well from injuries, so preventing falls is very important. Try the following ideas.
- Check the house.
Get rid of things that might cause tripping, such as raised thresholds, throw rugs, and electric cords.
- Check those stairs.
If stairs are a problem, put in handrails or a ramp.
- Light the way.
Keep the house well lit, especially stairways, porches, and outside walkways. Use night-lights.
- Make washing safe.
Install shower chairs and bath benches.
Helping a frail older adult eat well
Food provides calories, which provide energy and can help stop weight loss. Encourage your loved one to do the following.
- Eat more.
Talk to your loved one's doctor about nutrition. Getting calories may be more important than avoiding fat for other reasons.
- Eat more protein.
This may help keep muscles strong. If needed, you can add protein powder to soups and other dishes.
- Get enough vitamin D.
This vitamin may help keep muscles working well as you get older. Talk to the doctor about having your loved one's vitamin D level checked.
- Keep bones strong.
Talk to the doctor about vitamin D and calcium supplements.
- Try liquid meal replacements.
These drinks include Boost, Ensure, or instant breakfast drinks. Smoothies, milk shakes, and milk also may help limit weight loss.
- Eat many smaller meals rather than 3 larger meals a day.
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