A Dietitian's Perspective on Frailty
As a Dietitian, one of the very first things that I screen older adults for is frailty and malnutrition. In continuing care settings, this is one of the most common health concerns that I see clients with on an ongoing basis. Your doctor may mention this term to you or the person that you care for, and you may be wondering what this actually means. In this article, I will give a Dietitian's perspective on frailty.
What is Frailty?
The Canadian Frailty Network(1) defines frailty as a "medical condition of reduced function and health in older adults." They further describe frailty as persons having usually three or more of the following symptoms:
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of Strength
- Slower Walking Speed
- Low Levels of Physical Activity
According to Statistics Canada, 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 are living with frailty(2). If frailty is left untreated, older adults may be more likely to be hospitalized, require long term care, or potentially die. This is not meant to scare anyone, simply to bring awareness to this health concern.
Why are Older Adults at risk for Frailty?
As I mentioned in a previous post on Aging and Common Changes in Nutrition, many things will affect how you consume nutrients, and how the body then utilizes those nutrients. With age, there are many other factors that increase the risk of frailty other than poor nutrition, including decreased activity levels, social isolation, and use of multiple medications. As well, many diseases are more common with aging, like the chronic diseases of Diabetes and Heart Disease, increasing risk of frailty further.
Ways to Combat Frailty through Nutrition
I wrote a previous post on my four nutrients of concern for people over 50. You can read more about those nutrients here. Below are a few simple ideas to combat frailty.
Eat Meals with Others
Eating is not simply about the foods we eat. Eating affects us emotionally, mentally, and socially as well. Consider, for a moment, a wedding, a birthday party, and a backyard BBQ. What do you think these events all have in common? That's right! Food and the company of others! If you think a little further about events you have been to in the past - Did you eat well at these events, or did you refuse to eat anything? Most likely the answer is that you ate farily well, and you may even remember the foods served!
Oftentimes older adults may eat alone, which can cause loneliness and a reduced appetite. My suggestion? If this sounds like something you or your loved one are experiencing, reach out to others and see if they would like to have meals together. There are also groups all around that have meal socials you can attend, to make new friends. Here are a few that may be of interest:
- Spruce Grove Golden Age Club
- Senior Citizens' Society of Stony Plain
- West End Seniors Activity Centre
- Sage Seniors Association
Eat Small, Frequent Meals/Snacks
For many reasons, our appetite can change with age. Whether it be related to loss of sense of smell, taste, sight, or decreased activity levels, it is very common for adults to have a smaller appetite than in their younger years. This may lead some to skip meals or eat very small portion sizes at those meals.
If you are finding that yourself or your loved one are eating less at meals, one suggestion is to move away from the typical three meals a day eating pattern.
Instead, split meals into 5-6 small meals or snacks daily. Keep meals and snacks simple but also packed with nutrition. Here are a few ideas:
- Toast with nut butter and sliced banana
- Fruit with Greek yogurt and granola
- Pita bread with hummus and vegetables of choice
- Hard boiled eggs with cheese and crackers
Eat Foods that Bring you Joy
Working in long term care centres, one of the most common themes that I see with why people eat less, is that the food in these centres is not appealing to them. This is not simply about the quality of the food produced by the wonderful and caring culinary teams. (I have tasted food in many, many facilities and can share that the food has been unique and tasty in all of them!)
One suggestion I make to families of residents in long-term care facilities is to bring in home-cooked meals, often. Why? We are all creatures of habit. We enjoy foods made using the same spices, cooking methods, and level of seasoning that we have had our entire lives. So my suggestion, for those experiencing frailty, is to eat the foods that bring you joy!
Other ways to combat frailty include:
- Talk with your Family Doctor about:
- Any frailty concerns and symptoms you are experiencing.
- Reviewing your current medication list for safety.
- Increasing physical activity.
- Talk with your Dentist/Denturist about any dental changes affecting your ability to chew the foods you enjoy.
Where can I get more support with nutrition for healthy aging?
If you would like more information on frailty or would like a Dietitian to screen you for frailty, I can help! I offer in person and virtual nutrition counselling support for healthy aging, metabolic conditions, and neurological conditions.
Read more about my services here: Virtual and In-Person Nutrition Counselling.
If you would like to book your free 15 minute discovery call with me, you can do so here.
And remember to check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for Registered Dietitian Services through your plan or health spending account. Dietitian services are also tax deductible!
References
- Canadian Frailty Network. (n.d.). What is frailty? Canadian Frailty Network. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.cfn-nce.ca/frailty-matters/what-is-frailty/
- Statistics Canada. 2019. The Daily, Monday, September 30, 2019. Canada’s population estimates: Age and sex, July 1, 2019. Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 11-001-X Ottawa.