PREVENTION OF FRAILTY IN AGING

Abstract

Worldwide, the number of people age 60 and older is expected to grow from nearly 900 million in 2015 to over 1.3 trillion in 2030 (1). Increased age is associated with gradual increases in molecular and cellular damage; impairment of bodily functions; decreased muscle mass and strength; loss of bone density; declining vision, hearing and cognition; multimorbidity; and frailty (2). Frailty has been conceptualized as a physiological syndrome of decreased reserve and resilience, resulting in progressive functional decline, increased vulnerability to many stressors, and an increase in negative health outcomes and dependence (3, 4). It has been recognized by the World Health Organization (2) and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (5) as a major public health concern among the elderly, although consensus on a definition of frailty remains elusive (6). Nonetheless, research suggests that disability and dependence in the elderly may be preventable by targeting frail and pre-frail older adults (3, 7, 8).