Guidance Paper Volume 16, Issue 21 pp 13176—13180
Addressing frailty in older adults: an integrated challenge for health, science, and society
- 1 Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Grupo de Investigación en Fisioterapia y Dolor, Alcalá de Henares 28801, Spain
- 2 Interdisciplinary Research Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón 28670, Spain
- 3 Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón 28933, Spain
- 4 Physiotherapy and Orofacial Pain Working Group, Sociedad Española de Disfunción Craneomandibular y Dolor Orofacial (SEDCYDO), Madrid 28009, Spain
- 5 Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Majadahonda 28222, Spain
- 6 Physical Therapy Unit, Primary Health Care Center “El Abajón”, Las Rozas de Madrid 28231, Spain
- 7 Universidad Europea de Madrid, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sports, Villaviciosa de Odón 28670, Spain
Received: September 18, 2024 Accepted: October 15, 2024 Published: November 27, 2024
https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206162How to Cite
Copyright: © 2024 Fernández-Carnero et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Introduction: The global shift towards an aging population presents significant challenges, particularly concerning frailty among older adults. Frailty, characterized by diminished strength and resilience, increases vulnerability to diseases and hospitalization.
Health Issues: Traditional diagnostic tools for frailty are costly and involve radiation risks, necessitating non-invasive, cost-effective methods like ultrasound. Frail older adults require intensive medical care, increasing healthcare costs and burdening systems.
Scientific Challenges: Research must adopt a multidimensional approach, considering physical, psychological, and social factors of frailty. There is a pressing need to develop accessible diagnostic tools and translate research findings into clinical practice. Integrating ultrasound with machine learning enhances diagnostic accuracy and predictive capabilities, facilitating personalized care.
Social Implications: Frailty reduces the quality of life for older adults, places emotional and financial burdens on families, and exacerbates health inequalities. It also leads to social isolation, diminishing the participation of older adults in community activities.
Future Directions: An integrated response involving public health policies, technological innovations, and education is necessary. Developing community health programs, implementing continuous health monitoring tools, and conducting awareness campaigns can significantly improve frailty management.
Conclusions: Tackling frailty is not only a health imperative but also a social and ethical responsibility. By addressing the intertwined health, scientific, and social challenges of frailty, we can ensure healthy and equitable aging for all, reflecting our commitment to improving the quality of life for older adults.