Signs of ‘pre-frailty’ are seen in 45% of people aged 40 to 49 – the same percentage of people aged 70-75 who experience pre-frailty – according to a new study by Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute.
The research found that you don’t have to be in your 70s or 80s to be heading down the path to frailty – with people showing evidence of pre-frailty from the age of 40 – or even younger – including:
- Pre-frailty indicators: poor dynamic trunk stability and lower limb strength, poor balance, poor foot sensation, being underweight, pelvic floor problems and poor nutrition.
- Pre-frailty to frailty factors: poor mental state i.e. living alone, high psychological distress, poor lung function and poor sleep quality.
The researchers say people in their 40s should start looking now at how they can better look after their physical and mental health to reduce or even avoid ‘frailty’ and a higher risk of death.
These could include increasing your physical activity and exercise tolerance, building muscle, looking at your nutrition and mental health, having your hearing and foot health assessed, and taking part in workplace or community wellbeing programs.
“People working from home during the self-isolation period can take the opportunity to reassess their health, habits and routines to seek ways to make their daily routines and homes better places to live, and live longer in the process,” Caring Futures Institute researcher Anthony Maeder, also from the Flinders Digital Health Research Centre, said.
Good advice.
