Preventing frailty
For people at risk of developing frailty there are potentially preventable or modifiable risk factors or conditions. These include alcohol excess; cognitive impairment, falls, functional impairment, hearing problems, mood problems, nutritional compromise, physical inactivity, polypharmacy, smoking, vision problems, social isolation and loneliness.
Promoting healthy ageing offers a chance to avoid or postpone the onset of frailty. In support of this there is a range of resources available from various organisations including:
- Skills for Health, NHS England and Health Education England Frailty Framework of Core Capabilities
- NHS England Practical guide to healthy ageing
- Age UK advice on keeping active and ageing well
- NHS Choices provides advice on how physical activity and exercise can help people stay healthy, energetic, and independent as they get older
- NICE supporting guidance on healthy ageing
- Public Health England guidance on productive healthy ageing and musculoskeletal health
- The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has published Exercise: The miracle cure and the role of the doctor in promoting it, which demonstrates the value of exercise in making a difference to the quality of people’s lives