This is a "geriatric syndrome characterized by a decrease in the body's ability to respond to external stressors causing in the individual: risk of falls, functional decline, disability, dependence, institutionalization and even death" (De Miguel, 2020).
Sometimes this syndrome is related to the interaction of several chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and heart failure.
It has also been found that there are psychological risk factors such as depression, anxiety; or social risk factors such as poverty and neglect (Garcia, 2012).
The manifestations of this syndrome are usually: "involuntary weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, slowing of movement, weakness and low physical activity (Rodriguez and Reales, 2016)". It is worth mentioning that in the stage of older adulthood a syndrome like this should not be overlooked because its diagnosis should be made as early as possible to avoid complications and receive the respective medical and nutritional care.
The plan that the physician makes should be directed to the patient according to his or her personal characteristics; however, some important elements that should generally be implemented in the face of this frailty syndrome are the following (García 2012; Méndez, Molina, Molina, & Rueda, 2019):
-Psychological support, with the purpose of strengthening the mental health of the elderly and favoring therapeutic adherence.
-Physical exercise supervised by a medical professional whose purpose is to increase muscle mass, strength and functionality.
-Nutrition, caloric and protein supplementation and consumption of Vitamin C, D and Omega 3.
Bibliographic references:
Garcia, C. (2012) Assessment and care of the frail older adult. Retrieved from: https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-revista-medica-clinica-las-condes-202-pdf-S0716864012702717
Méndez, L. Molina, A. Molina, E. and Rueda, C. (2019). Frailty syndrome in the older adult. Thesis. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Retrieved from: https://biblioteca.medicina.usac.edu.gt/tesis/pre/2019/063.pdf
Rodriguez, K. and Reales, L. (2016) Frailty syndrome and its associated variables. Med Interna, 32 (4): 272 - 278. retrieved from: https://svmi.web.ve/wh/revista/V32_N4.pdf#page=10
