Faster diagnosis of frailty in seniors aging at home is key to helping them stay independent

”In the next 10 years, the number of Canadians living with frailty will grow to more than two million.”

I’ve already written a lot about how frailty can negatively affect the quality of senior living and put pressure both on the elderly and the caregivers supporting them. You can scroll down to my previous posts to read more on that.

In the meantime, I want to talk about the importance of monitoring frailty among seniors who choose to age in place.

In the article below, you can read some important insights into the topic. Still, I’d like to highlight one thing in particular: seniors with moderate frailty require the most support both with their physical state and personal well-being.

Consistent support, health monitoring and incident response are crucial for enabling quality ageing in place for the elderly.

Find more insights via the link - https://theconversation.com/faster-diagnosis-of-frailty-in-seniors-aging-at-home-is-key-to-helping-them-stay-independent-177246

Why should we develop a continuum of care for seniors?

From monitoring for early signs of disease, through treatment and recovery, to managing long-term consequences, the continuum reduces the need for costly emergency department visits, inpatient hospitalizations and nursing home stays. As a result, this preventive approach can help seniors remain independent for a longer period of time.

So what key elements of the continuum of care can benefit older adults?:

1. Assessments. They are used to identify potential issues that could lead to a decline in health or function. The assessments may include medical, psychological and social factors such as diet, exercise, sleep and medication compliance.

2. Monitoring. Monitoring for early signs of disease can help identify issues before they become serious problems that require an emergency department visit or hospitalization.

3. Treatment and Recovery. Treatment may include medications and physical therapy, while recovery might include implementing strategies to prevent future episodes.

4. And last but not least, management of long-term consequences/chronic conditions.

Do you think such a preventive approach could prolong seniors’ independent living?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.