What causes frailty in the elderly

Written By Peter Lipski

  • Frailty in the elderly is caused by underlying multiple chronic medical conditions.

  • Frailty in older persons is not part of “normal ageing”.

  • Only 30% of those older than 85 years of age are frail. 

  • Age-related frailty is nearly always associated with chronic illness and multiple diseases/co-morbidities. 

  • The common causes of frailty include-

  • Heart failure,

  • Chronic lung disease with extra metabolic demands on the body,

  • Malnutrition,

  • Dementia,

  • Underlying cancer,

  • Chronic generalised arthritis

  • Neurodegenerative walking and balance disorders.

For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.

Peter Lipski
Previous

Frail older person.
Next

How to treat frailty in the elderly.