Physiotherapy for Frailty and Deconditioning

What is Frailty?

Frailty describes reduced physical reserve. Deconditioning can develop when someone becomes inactive because of illness, hospitalisation, pain or reduced mobility.

What problems can people face?

People may have reduced strength, slow walking, fatigue, difficulty standing or transferring, poor balance and greater dependence on carers.

What can happen when it is not addressed?

Without appropriate activity, physical capacity can continue to decline. Everyday tasks such as walking to the dining room, standing from a chair or transferring can become increasingly difficult.

How ACP can help

ACP assesses what the person can safely do now and develops a graded program to maintain or improve strength, balance, walking, transfers, endurance and functional mobility. Exercise can be built into meaningful everyday activities.

When should physiotherapy be considered?

Consider physiotherapy when an older person has become weaker, less active or more dependent after illness, hospitalisation or a period of inactivity.