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Older adults' perceptions and informational needs regarding frailty.
Nancy L Schoenborn1, Sarah E Van Pilsum Rasmussen2, Qian-Li Xue2,3
1The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Mason F. Lord Building Center Tower, Room 711, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. nancyli@jhmi.edu.
BMC Geriatrics
|February 14, 2018
Summary
Older adults perceive frailty differently than clinicians and often find the term "frail" negative. Frail individuals are more open to discussing frailty, seeking information on prevention and risks.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Frailty is a recognized medical syndrome in older adults with growing clinical applications.
- Understanding US older adults' perceptions of frailty is crucial but has been underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine older adults' perceptions of frailty.
- To identify their informational needs regarding frailty as a medical syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing focus groups with community-dwelling older adults.
- Explored beliefs, knowledge, and informational needs about frailty.
Main Results:
- Older adults' perceptions of frailty included a psychological component and skepticism towards a multi-symptom definition.
- Frail participants were more receptive to discussing frailty status with clinicians than non-frail or pre-frail individuals.
- Participants desired information on frailty treatment, prevention, and associated risks, often preferring to avoid the term 'frail' due to its negative connotation.
Conclusions:
- The term 'frail' carries negative connotations that may hinder clinical application.
- Communicating about frailty requires understanding older adults' perspectives and preferences.
- Further research is needed to develop acceptable communication strategies for discussing frailty in clinical settings.