Question

Essay 3: Signs of Frailty:

1) First, describe two proven signs or markers of clinical frailty; Then, 2) for each sign, discuss one possible intervention that could help to prevent frailty if detected earlier.

Answer 1

  Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome defined as the increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes after exposure to a stressful event. There are basically five characteristic signs of frailty used in clinical diagnosis. They are low grip strength, low energy, slowed walking speed, unintentional weight loss and low physical activity. The prevention of this condition can be done by a three methods. Primarily by increase functional reserve in early aging, secondarily by preserving function in late aging and thirdly by restoring function in frail older adults.
Considering the specific possible interventions for preventing frailty let’s take low grip strength. This condition in frailty is due to muscle weakness and this can be due to sarcopenia, which is a condition defined as the loss of muscle mass and strength. Here, the healthy muscle mass is replaced by more fat tissue in this condition. So for preventing this in early stage, comprehensive exercise program and increased physical activity can be implemented as this will increased the muscle strength and muscle mass. Also it will prevent fat depositions which can lead to other comorbidities like hyperlipidemia and diabetics.

For preventing weight loss, consider giving more nutrients rich diet. This include diet rich in more protein and antioxidants as this has shown to prevent frailty. Also consider eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts ; replace butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil; use herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods; limit red meat to no more than a few times a month.

By consuming this healthy food along with proper exercise we can control weight loss and low grip strength due to muscle weakness in frail people.