Understanding frailty: meanings and beliefs about screening and prevention across key stakeholder groups in Europe

Innovative methods to manage frailty are critical to managing the needs of an ageing population. Evidence suggests there are opportunities to reverse or prevent frailty through early intervention. However, little is known about older adults’, families’ and practitioners’ beliefs about the malleabili...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ageing and society 2018-06, Vol.38 (6), p.1223-1252
Main Authors: SHAW, RACHEL L., GWYTHER, HOLLY, HOLLAND, CAROL, BUJNOWSKA-FEDAK, MARIA, KURPAS, DONATA, CANO, ANTONIO, MARCUCCI, MAURA, RIVA, SILVIA, D'AVANZO, BARBARA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advocacy
Aging
Caregivers
Early intervention
European cultural groups
Exercise
Feasibility
Frail
Frailty
Geriatrics
Health care
Health services
Holistic approach
Integrated care
Interest groups
Meaning
Medical personnel
Medical screening
Nutrition research
Obstetrics
Older people
Physical fitness
Population
Prevention
Prevention programs
Public health
Qualitative research
Resilience
Self concept
Social research
Social services
Society
Stakeholders
Tests
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Innovative methods to manage frailty are critical to managing the needs of an ageing population. Evidence suggests there are opportunities to reverse or prevent frailty through early intervention. However, little is known about older adults’, families’ and practitioners’ beliefs about the malleability of frailty. This study examined European stakeholders’ accounts of the acceptability and feasibility of frailty screening and prevention to inform future intervention development. Semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews were conducted in three European Union countries (Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom) with key stakeholders – frail and non-frail older adults, family care-givers, and health and social care professionals. Thematic analysis identified four themes: synchronicity between the physical and the psychological in frailty, living with frailty in the social world, the need for a new kind of care, and screening for and preventing frailty. Findings emphasised the need for a holistic approach to frailty care and early intervention. Integrated care services and advocacy were important in the organisation of care. Central to all stakeholders was the significance of the psychological and social alongside the physical elements of frailty and frailty prevention. Support and care for older adults and their family care-givers needs to be accessible and co-ordinated. Interventions to prevent frailty must encompass a social dimension to help older adults maintain a sense of self while building physical and psychological resilience.
ISSN:0144-686X
1469-1779
DOI:10.1017/S0144686X17000745