The Complexity of Frailty: Psychological Mechanism and Therapeutic Interventions in Old People - A Narrative Review

Abstract

Aging is a complex and dynamic process. Senses become less sophisticated and negative life events increase. These factors combined with medical conditions contribute to develop a degenerative functional autonomy of the elderly. This clinical condition is known as frailty. However, there is a difference in the way people live their silver years in terms of happiness and their sense of autonomy. Both being and feeling frail represent two different drives of cognitive representations concerning how the elderly live their lives. In addition, other factors such as cognitive stimulation, assistive technology and physical activity can support frail people to achieve independence. This chapter aims to provide an overview on how the psychological environment may affect frailty, suggesting a possible role of new technology’s solutions and physical activity as therapeutic interventions.