Anatom3DFrailty & falls in older age
Fragilitas senilis · Křehkost a pády ve stáří
What it is
Reserve across many systems drops until a small illness causes a big decline.
Symptoms & signs
- Slow walking
- exhaustion
- weight loss
- weakness
- repeated falls
- delirium during illness
- reduced independence
🚩 Get help if…
- call 112 / 911 now A fall with head injury, or unable to get up
- call 112 / 911 now Sudden confusion, drowsiness or not eating and drinking
- see a doctor soon Falls or near-falls more than once
- see a doctor soon Losing weight or strength over weeks
Where it strikes
- Muscles
- Skeleton
- Brain
Medical treatment
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment
- medication review and deprescribing
- strength and balance programmes
- bone protection
- hearing and vision correction
Natural & lifestyle
- Progressive resistance and balance training
- protein 1.2 g/kg
- Vitamin D to prevent falls — no benefit in large trials; big yearly doses raised falls not confirmed in trials
- home hazard removal
- social engagement
- hydration
Emerging & experimental
- Multicomponent exercise trials
- senolytics
- integrated care models
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Tai chi — trials reduce falls in older people trials support
- Creatine with training — trials add strength mixed evidence
- HMB — small trials early / small studies
ICD codes
- ICD-10 R54
- ICD-11 MG2A Ageing associated decline in intrinsic capacity