I just heard a lecture on frailty in older adults. This is a new geriatric syndrome characterized by low physical activity, muscle weakness, slowed performance, weak endurance, and unintentional weight loss/malnutrition.¹ These are the same patients once referred to as debilitated, cachetic, or “failure to thrive” patients. No surprise: These patients are at increased risk for falls, hospitalizations, and death.

I walked away thinking advice for this group of patients is the same I give to all patients: eat balanced meals, regularly exercise the body and mind, socialize, and develop a spiritual life.

Not easy to do, day in and day out, year after year. Staying fit is a journey. Most of us spend a lifetime trying to discover how to live healthy, meaningful lives.

1. Boockvar, KS. Palliative Care for Frail Older Adults. JAMA. 2006;296:2245-2253.