Week 1

Question 1

What is Frailty

Answer 1

Operationally defined by
Fried et al. as meeting three out of five phenotypic criteria indicating
compromised energetics:
* low grip strength,
* low energy,
* slowed walking speed,
* low physical activity,
* and/or unintentional weight loss

Question 2

Whos’ at highest risk of frailty?

Answer 2

85+ age group
Women
More prevalent amongst Black older people than White older people

Question 3

What are the potential risks/ health outcomes/ impacts of frailty?

Answer 3

Having frailty places a person at increased risk of adverse
outcomes, including falls, hospitalisation, malnutrition, infection, physical
and mental health co-morbidities, and mortality

Question 4

Whos’ at highest risk of falls?

Answer 4

Oldest old – 85 years and older - have highest
prevalence (nearly 10% reported a fall related injury – almost double to 65–69 year-olds);
more likely to be female; more likely to be living alone

Question 5

What is the No. 1 reason for injury-related death, hospitalization and emergency
department visits for older adults in Canada

Answer 5

Falls (1 in 3 people aged 65 and
older are likely to fall at least once)

Question 6

Assesment of fall risk

Answer 6

• Is the person at risk?
• Fall risk screening tool

Question 7

Prevention of falls

Answer 7

• Education
• Exercise and maintaining activity
• Best Practice Guidelines
• Fall prevention interventions: listen to patients/ client

Question 8

Why a fear of falling can be bad, and who is more likely to have this fear?

Answer 8

A person has lasting fear of falling and may avoid activities they would otherwise be
capable of performing

More often affects older women, those with previous falls and certain co-morbidities
(chronic illness, frailty)

Activity restriction in the long-term adversely affects mental and physical health and
actually increases the risk of future falls.

Question 9

What is successful aging

Answer 9

“Successful ageing has become an important concept to describe the quality of
ageing. It is a multidimensional concept, and the main focus is how to expand
functional years in a later life span.” (Urtamo et al, 2019)

Question 10

Resources for this week to read over

Answer 10

Urtamo et al, Oosman et al 2021
Makita et al 2021