Practical relevance of frailty assessment in hospitalized older adults
Practical relevance of frailty assessment in hospitalized older adults
When older adults are admitted to the hospital, their level of frailty is assessed. Frailty means that someone recovers less easily from illness, stress, or other major events. This occurs more often in older people. A frail older adult has a higher risk of problems during hospitalization, such as complications, confusion, death, or a longer stay in the hospital or a care facility.
To estimate this risk, healthcare professionals use screening tools, such as questionnaires or muscle‑strength tests. If someone appears frail, a specialist in geriatric care can conduct a more extensive assessment to determine whether frailty is truly present and in which areas. Frailty is not only about physical health; it also involves memory, mood, nutrition, mobility, and social support. The more of these areas are out of balance, the more vulnerable someone becomes.
Many different screening tools exist, but it is not always clear which one works best, whether they are used correctly, or whether they provide meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare professionals. This dissertation of Marian Winters includes several studies aimed at answering these questions.
In practice, the added value of frailty screening and follow‑up assessments appears limited. The right questions were not always asked, and the process often did not run optimally. Improvements are needed. Most importantly, we must truly get to know the patient — not only through scores, but also by listening to them and considering the perspectives of different doctors and nurses. This creates a complete picture that supports shared decision‑making and appropriate treatment choices.