Frailty Syndrome: Implications for Nursing Practice

Abstract

Frailty is a life-limiting medical syndrome associated with morbidity and mortality in older adults. The concept of frailty as a syndrome adds to our knowledge of aging and helps to expand the identification of risk factors and interventions to reduce disability and improve outcomes. Early identification through the use of validated risk assessment tools and targeted management of the frailty state in older adults is clinically important for nurse practitioners. Primary care and specialty care nurse practitioners are optimally positioned to facilitate comprehensive assessment and management of this evolving phenomena in the care of older adults.