Frailty

Question 1

What is Frailty characterised by? (4)

Answer 1

1. A decline in functioning across multiple physiological systems.
2. Increased vulnerability to stressors.
3. Increased mortality, hospitalisation, falls, admissions to long-term care.
4. Individual burden of impaired quality of life and loneliness.

Question 2

Give 2 main Frailty Assessment Instruments.

Answer 2

1. Frailty Phenotype.

2. Frailty Index (Deficit Accumulation).

Question 3

What is the Frailty Phenotype Based on? (5)

Answer 3

1. Weakness : Grip Strength.
2. Slow Gait Speed.
3. Low Physical Activity.
4. Exhaustion.
5. Unintentional Weight Loss.
   Frailty = 3+.

Question 4

What is the Frailty Index Based on?

Answer 4

Screening for health deficits (signs, symptoms, diseases, disabilities, abnormal results) - frailty score is sum of deficits present.

Question 5

What tool can be used to manage Frail Patients?

Answer 5

CGA : Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

Question 6

Give an outline of the CGA (5).

Answer 6

1. Medical Domain.
2. Mental Health Domain.
3. Functional Capacity Domain.
4. Social Circumstances Domain.
5. Environmental Domain.

Question 7

What is Frailty?

Answer 7

A physiological syndrome characterised by decreased reserve and diminished resistance to stressors, resulting from cumulative decline across multiple physiological systems and causing vulnerability to adverse outcomes.

Question 8

What are the Geriatric Giants (5)?

Answer 8

1. Immobility.
2. Instability.
3. Intellectual Impairment.
4. Incontinence.
5. Inability to Manage ADLs (Activities of Daily Living).

Question 9

Reversible Causes of Incontinence (7).

Answer 9

DIAPERS :

1. D - Delirium.
2. I - Infection.
3. A - Atrophic Vaginitis.
4. P - Psychological/Pharmaceutical.
5. E - Excess Fluids.
6. R - Restricted Mobility.
7. S - Stool (Constipation).