What is Frailty and How Can a Dietitian Help?

5 February 2025
|In Blog, Dietitian
|By Marketing Team

What is frailty?

Frailty is a medical condition in older adults where reduced strength, fatigue, and slower movements increase their vulnerability to illness, malnutrition, injury, falls, disability, hospitalisation, and mortality. In 2018 approximately 21% of Australians aged 65 and over were considered frail with an additional 48% classed as pre-frail. Within Australian acute care services 50%-88% of patients have frailty. By 2027, the number of frail Australians is projected to reach approximately 609,309, with an additional 2.25 million classified as pre-frail, assuming current prevalence rates persist.

Risk factors of frailty:

  • Age
  • Chronic diseases
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Low physical activity
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Polypharmacy
  • Poor mobility
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Social isolation and depression
  • History of falls

How is it diagnosed?

To be considered to have frailty three out of the following must be met. To be categorised at pre-frail two out of the five must be met:

  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Reduced mobility
  • Reduced strength
  • Reduced physical activity
  • Reduced energy

What can be done about it?

Frailty is preventable and reversible with targeted interventions; prevention is often the cheapest, easiest and most effective treatment. Intervening to reduce risk factors early including poor diet and low physical activity should be prioritised.

How can a dietitian help prevent and reverse frailty?

  • Target nutrient changes to ensure adequate nutrient intake such as calcium and vitamin D for bone health. This will reduce risk of fracture and breaks and improve bone strength.
  • Target nutrient changes to ensure adequate protein for muscle maintenance and skin healing. This is important for maintaining function, mobility and preventing and repairing pressure wounds.
  • Provide support to manage unintentional weight loss or underweight to reduce risk of malnutrition and depleted nutrient stores. Building muscle and fat stores for protection of bones and strength for function.
  • Improve energy levels and capacity to complete daily tasks, participate in community and family activities. This is also important to maintain or build capacity for physical activity and reduce injury related to fatigue or inactivity.
  • Support through low appetite and difficulty maintain appropriate diet through strategic interventions and nutrition education. Dietitians can prescribe oral nutrition supplementation to boost nutrient intake when needed.

If you or someone you know is needing assistance with frailty, get in touch with your the Team Rehab Solutions team today and see how our in-home Dietitian team can help.