Question

Who are the "frail " elderly? Is this only body or can "frail " include mental functioning? What are the special care needs for frail elders?

Answer 1

Frail elderly are individuals over 65 years of age who are dependent on others for daily activities .They are weak, have many medical problems , impaired mental abilities and require assistance for daily activities. Frailty is a sum of eight core indicators like weakness, fatigue, weight loss, low physical activity, poor balance, low gait speed, visual impairment and cognitive impairment.

Frail includes both physical and mental weakness. It includes depression, mental stress, anxiety, impaired mental abilities. Frail.elderly show reduced mental test score.

Frail elderly often need an institutional care. Frail elders need to be cared 8m every day to day activities like dressing eating, bathing etc.So they need help of trained individuals. Also they may be having various disease which needs to be taken care of. Some may have reduced memory ,so they need to be cared well .Their medications ,diet should be taken care of.Also health checkups should be given importance.They need mental support and feeling of being secure.

Older people should be properly valued, and listened to, and treated with compassion, dignity and respect.They need to be cared for by skilled staff.