What to know about frailty in older adults

Frailty is a common condition in later life, but it is often misunderstood. It is more than simply feeling tired or moving more slowly. It is a medical condition that affects strength, balance and how well the body can recover from illness or cope with everyday stress.

Knowing what to look out for can help you or a loved one stay safe and independent for longer. With the right support, many people living with frailty continue to enjoy a good quality of life in the comfort of their own home.

In this guide, we will explain what frailty means, how to recognise the signs and what can be done to manage it with confidence.

What is frailty?

Frailty is a health condition that affects many older adults. It refers to a gradual decline in strength, energy and physical ability, which can make it harder to manage everyday tasks or recover from illness.

Someone living with frailty may feel weaker than usual, become tired more easily or find it difficult to move around safely. They may also be more vulnerable to falls, infections or changes in routine.

Frailty is not just a natural part of ageing. With the right support, many people can continue to live independently and comfortably at home.

What are the signs of frailty in older adults?

Frail people find it difficult to complete everyday tasks, even ones they used to have no trouble with. This might include getting dressed, using the toilet, cooking meals, getting out of bed and moving around the house. They might start feeling weak or off-balance as they try to move, worrying that they’ll take a fall.

During an assessment, a doctor will consider your loved one’s symptoms and compare them to those of frailty. If they have more than three of the following, their doctor may refer them for more extensive tests:

• Losing 10 or more pounds in the past year without trying
• Feeling weak and having trouble standing without help
• A noticeable reduction in grip strength
• Feeling exhausted and that everything takes a big effort
• Struggling to get moving for three or more days a week; reduction in exercise
• Walking slowly (less than 15 feet in six to seven seconds)

These aren’t the only signs of frailty in older adults, but they are the most common. If your loved one is exhibiting different signs but you’re still concerned about the risk of frailty, book them in for an assessment to put your mind at ease.

Possible causes of frailty in older adults

While there aren’t any known specific causes of frailty in older adults, certain factors may increase the possibility of it developing. These include:

• Old age: As you get older, the way your body functions changes. You may slow down and take longer to do things, as well as feel more aches and pains. These things may increase your risk of becoming frail.
• Severe illnesses: Severe illnesses, along with their treatments, take a lot out of your body. Things like sepsis and hip fractures can cause damage that requires surgery to fix, making it more difficult for your body to recover well.
• Chronic conditions: Many cases of frailty are tied to chronic inflammation or immune system activation, which puts more strain on the body and reduces muscle function.
• Loss of muscle mass: As we age, we often lose muscle mass and strength. This increases the risk of frailty by preventing the body from making a solid recovery. A loss of muscle mass can also lead to less movement, which only exacerbates the problem.
• Poor nutrition: The body needs sufficient fuel to look after itself, but smaller appetites and imbalanced diets can lead to older adults not getting all the nutrients they need to stave off frailty.
• Stress: Stress drains the body’s energy, leaving it with less to put into keeping itself fighting fit.

Can you prevent or reverse frailty in older adults?

Yes, sometimes frailty can be prevented and reversed with the right treatment and management plan.

Our health covers the cost of everything our bodies do, from blinking to recovering from illnesses and injuries. The healthier we are, the easier our bodies complete these actions. Frailty occurs when a person’s health can’t keep up with the demands of everyday life, so supporting your loved one’s health is essential in preventing frailty.

Where possible, encourage them to:

• Stay physically active
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Focus on proper nutrition
• Get regular and preventative health screenings
• Practice good handwashing habits
• Prevent injuries around the home

Reversing frailty isn’t guaranteed, but it’s possible to manage symptoms effectively so it doesn’t get worse or become debilitating to your loved one. Choosing a live-in carer can help manage symptoms without worsening them, keeping your loved one in the comfort of their own home for longer.

Caring for a frail older adult

If you’re your loved one’s primary carer or are finding yourself taking on more responsibilities as they get older, you may wonder how you can support a frail family member. Caring for them correctly helps to manage symptoms and slow progression down, potentially even reducing their impact to reverse the condition.

Here are some tips on caring for a loved one with frailty:

Focus on eating the right nutrition

Health is wealth when it comes to frailty, and eating right is one of the easiest ways to maintain health and manage symptoms. Eating correctly can manage weight loss and boost energy, reducing how tired your loved one feels throughout the day.

The most important thing to squeeze into their diet is protein. Plenty of it keeps the muscles strong, so add it wherever you can (even if it’s in protein powder form). Vitamin D also keeps the bones strong and muscles working.

If your loved one doesn’t feel like eating and you think this is contributing to their frailty, it’s worth looking into liquid meal replacements.

Keep the mind and body active

Staying active can build balance and strength, so look for activities that keep your loved one moving – while remaining vigilant about their fall risk. These activities may include:

• Resistance exercises, such as pushing against a wall from a seated position
• Walking as often as is recommended by their doctor
• Practising yoga or Tai Chi, where the movements are slow and rhythmic

Exercising the mind is just as important as exercising the body in frail older adults. Have fun, stimulate the brain and spend some quality time together as you play a board game or complete a crossword.

We have a guide on the 5 best physical exercises for frail people that can help.

Manage conditions related to frailty

Some conditions make frailty worse, such as chronic illnesses and cognitive impairment. Treating or managing the symptoms of these conditions may reduce the strain they’re putting on your loved one’s body, helping them feel better in more ways than one.

Stay connected

The fatigue and negative feelings that come with frailty often increase the risk of isolation and loneliness. Wherever possible, encourage your loved one to connect with others. Even phone calls to friends and family can boost motivation and make them feel happier.

Consider special exercise and rehabilitation programs

Specialised rehabilitation programs may help your loved one get better after serious events or injuries that contributed to the severity of their frailty. For example, cardiac rehabilitation helps strengthen the heart and reduce stress, preventing repeat episodes that may make frailty even worse.

Plan ahead for extra time

Frailty often slows your loved one down. Instead of rushing them and increasing the risk of a fall, try and plan for extra time so they can take things at their own pace. Be patient with your loved one, as they’re probably feeling frustrated with this new change.

Consider long-term care

Sometimes, frailty worsens even though you’ve done everything right to try and reduce it. This might mean that your loved one requires more care than you have time for, especially if they want to keep living at home. A live-in carer can offer round-the-clock care, always being on hand should your loved one need assistance with tasks of daily living, companionship or getting around the house while reducing their fall risk.

How Country Cousins can help

Frailty affects everyone differently, but the main symptoms often remain very similar: fatigue, weakness and slowing down. At Country Cousins, we’ve seen first hand how frailty affects both older adults and their loved ones—and we can help. We’ll match your loved one with a compassionate, experienced live-in carer who’ll take the reins and manage their frail symptoms accordingly.

Here’s what our live-in care services include:

• Assistance with showering, bathing, shaving and oral hygiene
• Cooking, planning and preparing nutritious meals
• Support with moving around the house
• Companionship and emotional support
• Symptom monitoring
• Transportation to and from appointments and social outings
• Light housework and pet care

Whether your loved one requires 24-hour live-in care or you’re looking for a temporary break with the help of respite care, Country Cousins has you covered. Our carers are experienced and trained in frailty and its symptoms, so you can rest assured that your loved one is experiencing outstanding care that prioritises their safety, independence and dignity.

Talk to our team today

As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.

Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.