Don’t call me frail!
FRAILTY — if there is one word that feisty older people hate, this is the one.
Doctors use this medical speak to talk about almost any senior who might have a condition they think should be managed with extra support.
But patients loathe the term, as it sounds like a judgment on their ability to remain independent, according to new research by Age UK and the British Geriatrics Society.
Older people prefer to describe their needs in more straightforward terms, seeing themselves as starting to struggle with things, or being worried about their health, but not specifically as ‘frail’.
In fact, many are so put off by this word that it can stop them seeking help.
The report calls on doctors to avoid using the words ‘frailty’ or ‘frail’ when talking to older people — and to talk more about independence, enablement and resilience.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, says: ‘Health and care services need to re-evaluate their use of the word ‘frailty’. It would be better to focus on underlying factors and find solutions that help.’
MORE than five million people of 65 or over in England are experiencing significant health problems, of whom 2.6 million live with multiple long-term health conditions such as diabetes, dementia and heart conditions.
Figures released earlier this year by Age UK show that more than 250,000 people who would qualify for help in the home because of difficulty getting up and down stairs, are getting no support, 500,000 who need help with washing get no support — and nearly 600,000 who require assistance with dressing are struggling alone.
Future-proof the home
THOSE who are able to take matters into their own hands, by future-proofing their homes with adaptations, are undoubtedly the fortunate ones.
This means of planning ahead enables people to be more resilient and prepared as the years go on.
Another Age UK survey recently showed that a fifth of people in their 60s are making adaptations at home. If they do end up in hospital at any time, it is more likely that they will be allowed home quickly, rather than having to wait while a care package or adaptations are put in place. In the meantime, they benefit from some really quite style-conscious home comforts, such as well-designed bathrooms, stairlifts, riser recliner chairs and adjustable beds.
Most of all, hazards are reduced. With new research by the University of East Anglia showing that the risk of a serious fall among older men may be increased by popular over-the-counter drugs for hayfever and insomnia, as well as by antidepressants, it is more important than ever to plan for safer living at home.
Save your energy
FRAILTY isn’t signified by a stairlift. Instead, many people now see a stairlift as a positive sign that someone wants to get more out of life, by saving the energy they would have to expend on the stairs, for the things they enjoy.
Some have a stairlift installed to use on ‘bad days’ when they are not feeling so good, perhaps because of a health issue
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