Prevalence and risk factors of frailty phenotype among vulnerable solitary elderly individuals
Journal
International Journal of Nursing Practice
Journal Volume
21
Journal Issue
3
Pages
321-327
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
The World Health Organization has defined elderly individuals living independently as an 'at risk' group. This vulnerable population thus faces a disproportionate amount of frailty, disabilities and/or death. In this study, the total number of participants was 276, with 13 incomplete responses, resulting in 263 valid questionnaires. Frailty status of the subjects (n=263) was evaluated according to the frailty criteria of osteoporotic fractures study. Overall, 35% of the study participants were frail, 19.8% were pre-frail and 45.2% were non-frail. Additionally, compared with non-frail, solitary elderly individuals with basic activities of daily living limitation or heart failure more easily became pre-frail. The research demonstrates a high prevalence of frailty in urban Taiwanese solitary elderly individuals. Pre-frailty and frailty significantly impacts health, owing to their strong association with cardiovascular disease, disability and fracture. Results of this study could provide a valuable reference material for health-care providers and potentially facilitate an important foundation for the planning of nursing interventions care. ? 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
Other Subjects
aged; daily life activity; demography; female; frail elderly; geriatric assessment; health status; human; male; prevalence; risk factor; Taiwan; very elderly; vulnerable population; Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Frail Elderly; Geriatric Assessment; Health Status; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Residence Characteristics; Risk Factors; Taiwan; Vulnerable Populations
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Type
journal article