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Frailty and the Older Adult

1.0 Continuing Education Credit Hour

Category: 300 Advanced Concepts

Frailty has been defined as a geriatric syndrome characterized by increased vulnerability due to loss of reserves and resilience. Frail elders are more prone to falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. As the U.S. population older than 65 years approaches 15% in 2015, the number of frail elderly will also be increasing. Improved skills in the identification and treatment of frail elders will be vital.

Author

Donald Mack, MD, FAAFP, CMD

Dr. Mack has been practicing medicine for the last 25 years; 23 years in a rural setting, and the last few years at The OSU Wexner Medical Center Family Medicine Department. He received his undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio, his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from The Ohio State University, and completed a Family Medicine Residency at the Toledo Hospital in Ohio. He also has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics and in Hospice and Palliative Medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and is a Certified Medical Director in Long Term Care from the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA). Dr. Mack enjoys working with patients of all ages and conditions, especially focusing on Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Mack is also the Director of Geriatric Education for the Ohio State University Family Medicine Residency program, is the Chair of the Geriatric Task Force for the new OSU medical school curriculum (began in 2012), and is the faculty mentor for the Geriatric Student Interest Group. His goal is to increase interest and knowledge in the areas of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine among medical students, family medicine residents, healthcare workers, and others in the field of aging, with the ultimate goal of improving the care of Senior Citizens. In Dr. Mack’s own words, “I want to make sure that we have highly skilled . . . [healthcare workers and others caring for older adults] . . . to take care of our aging world, my family, and eventually, me!” In his spare time, Dr. Mack enjoys bicycling and singing in his church choir. 

Objectives

  1. Define frailty in detail.
  2. List the components of frailty.
  3. Identify and describe some of the treatments and interventions for frailty.

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Online Module

When completing the on-line module you will be presented with learning objectives, brief cases, questions for reflection (not scored), and interactive lessons with hyperlinks to engage you along the way. Once you complete the lessons, you will be presented with the Post Test (which requires a score of 100%) and then the Module Evaluation, followed by the opportunity to print your Continuing Education Certificate. Modules remain available for your future reference once you have completed them.