Clinical definition

The clinical definition of frailty is a clinical state that is more common with increasing age.

It is characterised by decreased physiological reserve, an increased vulnerability to stressors, and an increased risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, delirium, loss of function or independence, hospitalisation, long-term care needs and premature mortality.

What is frailty?

The term frailty is used to describe a medical condition where people lose their in-built reserves and become increasingly susceptible to illness. Although more common with increasing age, it can occur in younger age groups.

If someone is living with frailty, this susceptibility may be triggered by events such as an infection, changes in medication or environment and more significant health events, such as surgery.

For example, a relatively minor health problem, such as an infection, can have a long-term impact on someone’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Frailty can make recovery from illness or injury take longer or be more difficult.

Frailty (rather than age) is an effective way of identifying people who may be at greater risk of sudden deterioration in health and wellbeing, falls, confusion, disability, hospital admission, the need for long-term care, and mortality.

Early identification of frailty, or the risk of frailty, enables steps to be taken to maintain health and wellbeing, reduce vulnerability to acute health issues and delay loss of independence.