Frailty

The chance of becoming frail increases with age. Many factors that can increase your risk of becoming frail, including:

• Lack of exercise and movement
• Poor nutrition and hydration
• Poor sleeping habits
• Hearing or vision loss or impairment
• Medications that may not be working well together
• Social isolation

Some people experiencing frailty can get tired more quickly and move more slowly than they did before. Frailty can affect a person’s ability to live independently and to take part in daily activities. 

This can even include being able to do their own care without help.

Frailty can also result in: 

• Decreased mobility
• Falls
• Suddenly becoming confused, especially when ill. Learn more about delirium.
• Dementia (learn more about dementia at Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia)
• Longer stays in hospital
• A greater risk of death

Reduce your frailty risk at home or in your community

Frailty is not inevitable as you age. It can be prevented, and, in some cases, frailty can be improved or reversed. 

Take steps to reduce your frailty risk by:

• Moving more
• Engaging with other people
• Eating and drinking well
• Maintaining healthy vision and hearing
• Getting your vaccinations
• Prioritizing a consistent sleep routine
• Optimizing your medication

Call 211 or visit https://ns.211.ca to find programs in your community to help with frailty.

Frailty can increase during a hospital stay

Frailty can result in unnecessary disability and need for care in hospital.  Additionally, frailty matters because routine hospital care may cause harm and need for extended care due to loss of mobility, delirium, sleep deprivation, prolonged stays, nursing home placement and death.

Older adults living with frailty are three times more likely to be hospitalized for 30 or more days and twice as likely to be re-admitted to hospital within 30 days of discharge.

The Nova Scotia Health Frailty and Elder Care Network offers eligible patients the opportunity participate in the Early Mobility Program who are moving well but may be at risk for losing strength while in hospital.

Learn More

• Health team focuses on changing ‘risk culture’ to improve lives of older adults living with frailty and dementia