Approach to the Frail Elderly

Frail elderly syndrome is a geriatric syndrome of increased vulnerability to stressors due to impairments in multiple interrelated systems. Common signs and symptoms are unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, slow walking speed, and progressive functional decline. Frail older adults are among the most challenging for medical management. Therapeutic interventions include nutritional supplementation, exercise training, comprehensive geriatric assessment and management by consultation services, and hormonal or anti-inflammatory interventions. Further intervention studies are needed to determine the effectiveness and the potential harm of these treatment modalities in the frail elderly. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010;56:135-40.