As people age, they often find themselves dealing with a variety of physical changes and challenges. While some are minor, others may have a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function independently. This may include decreased muscle mass, weakness, poor balance and unintended weight loss—issues that are particularly difficult to manage if more than one are present. When these symptoms are experienced together, the condition is known as frailty—something that affects over 1.6 million adults in Canada alone.1
Today, we’ll take a closer look at frailty including how to prevent it and strategies to reduce any existing symptoms. For additional guidance on supporting your aging loved one or to learn more about high quality homecare services in Toronto, please reach out to our team. We’d be glad to answer your questions and provide a personalized quote.
Defining frailty—and how it impacts seniors
Frailty presents in older individuals as a series of physical symptoms. While these symptoms may be associated with reaching an advanced age, they could also be the result of another medical condition (osteoporosis, for example). When an individual loses a significant amount of muscle mass and struggles with mobility or weakness, it’s known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia can be experienced by a person experiencing frailty, though it also presents on its own in some cases. As the NIH explains, “Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and function, and frailty can be defined as multi-system impairment associated with increased vulnerability to stressors.”
Seniors may experience some or all of the five main symptoms of frailty (unintentional weight loss of 10 lbs or more in one year; muscle loss and weakness, fatigue, slow walking speed, low levels of physical activity). Typically, a minimum of three symptoms is required for a formal diagnosis.
Frailty isn’t just about ‘slowing down’ as you age, and it shouldn’t be accepted as a normal part of getting older. As the Canadian Institute for Health Information notes, “Individuals living with frailty have an increased risk of hospitalization, longer hospital stays, hospital readmission, emergency department visits and in-hospital death.” Frail individuals are also more likely to suffer a fall—something that presents a serious danger to older individuals—and they face increased risk of complications from common viruses such as Covid or influenza.2
Preventing (or managing) frailty in older adults
It isn’t always avoidable, but practical measures can be taken to reduce the risk of frailty in aging populations. As the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN) notes, “Things like inactivity, poor nutrition, and social isolation or loneliness, and multiple medications contribute to frailty.” This is important to know as becoming frail can have a devastating impact. “When you are frail, your body does not have the ability to cope with minor illnesses that would normally have minimal impact if you were healthy,” the CFN continues. “With frailty, these minor stressors may trigger rapid and dramatic deterioration.”
In short? Avoiding known risk factors can help seniors avoid frailty’s harmful effects and live happier, healthier lives. An active lifestyle with a strong focus on nutrition, movement, social connection and cognition stimulation is critical, and may be particularly effective with caring and consistent support in place. We also recommend falls prevention training for seniors as well as regular care from a trusted family physician. If your aging loved one is already dealing with symptoms of frailty, lifestyle changes within a larger wellness plan may be able to reverse the condition to some extent. This is a helpful read from McMaster University on recognizing, understanding and managing issues related to frailty, and another from the Canadian Geriatrics Journal on reversing frailty levels through care.
We’re here to help
Living Assistance Services helps seniors safely age in place by assisting them with their physical, social, cognitive and nutritional needs, among other elements of support and care. Not only does this high quality, personalized caretaking help prevent frailty, it contributes to a higher quality of life. Between a loving family and the care of our dedicated Personal Support Workers (PSWs), your aging family member will have all the tools they need to thrive at home. To learn more about homecare services in Toronto and the surrounding areas, please contact us. Our team would be glad to take your call.
1 https://www.cfn-nce.ca/frailty-matters/what-is-frailty/
2 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11739-023-03456-9#:~:text=Older%20age%20and%20frailty,compared%20with%20young%2C%20healthy%20adults.