According to the Canadian Frailty Network, frailty is defined as a state of increased vulnerability, with reduced physical reserve and loss of function across multiple body systems. It predicts death, heightened vulnerability, institutionalization, and a reduced quality of life.
Older adults living with frailty:
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are more susceptible to large declines in health from minor illnesses such as the flu or adverse events like falls
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are more likely to be hospitalized, need long term care or die.
Click on the link to learn more about frailty and steps that may be taken to AVOID it.
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Domains of Frailty (PGLO, 2022)
The Ontario Collaborative for Aging Well recommends that concepts such as complexity and frailty, must include the physical, cognitive, mental, and social health of older adults and their care partners and the interaction and integration of these domains (Source: PGLO 2022)
Considered this way, an older adult may simultaneously demonstrate some or all of:
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a change or reduction in function or decline from relatively minor illness (physical)
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changes in thinking or memory that may also impact function (cognition)
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changes in mood (e.g., depression ) or psychological well-being (mental health ) and/or
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a limited or inconsistent support network , loneliness and social isolation, housing precarity, or food insecurity among other concerns, as well as the impacts of structural ageism, institutional racism and other forms of discrimination (social health).
Read more: Consensus Statement: Care for the Older Adult with Complex Health Conditions – Reframing ‘Frailty’ in an Ontario Context
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Frailty Estimates by Census Division and Ontario Health Region
To facilitate planning for health services for older adults living with complex and chronic health concerns, Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (PGLO) has updated the estimates of prevalence of frailty by census division and projected these estimates to 2040. A full description of their approach to developing these estimates is included in the workbook.
These estimates may facilitate a better understanding of the need for services that can respond to the specific requirements of older persons and may be used in connection with data from PGLO’s Specialized Geriatric Services Asset Inventory (see related resources) to compare anticipated need against current supply and utilization.
Link to Excel workbook with frailty estimates by Ontario Health Region (and census divisions) is below:
Frailty Estimates by Census Division and Ontario Health Region 2023
Frailty Management Resources
Holistic Approaches to Frailty Screening and Management in Primary Care
Primary care providers can play a significant role in the early identification and management of frailty. In collaboration with Ontario Collaborative for Aging Well, Seniors Care Network has developed the following guidance document to support primary care providers with implementing standardized approaches to frailty screening and prevention (also referred to as frailty pathways) at their practices.
An accompanying document titled ‘Customizable Templates for Frailty Screening and Management in Primary Care’ has been developed to help providers tailor the recommended practices in accordance to their preferences and service & program availability in their local area/region.
Holistic Approaches to Frailty Screening and Management in Community
In collaboration with Ontario Collaborative for Aging Well, Seniors Care Network has developed the following guidance document to support community providers with implementing standardized approaches to frailty screening and prevention (also referred to as frailty pathways). This work also supports the design of regional approaches to frailty care for Ontario Health Teams, while allowing for local variation to reflect available resources and services.
An accompanying document titled ‘Customizable Templates for Frailty Screening and Management in the Community’ has been developed to help providers tailor the recommended practices in accordance to their preferences and service & program availability in their local area/region.
Integrated Clinical Pathways
Integrated Clinical Pathways (ICPs) support the care of individuals with defined clinical conditions. While many will be successfully managed within ICPs, some may need additional supports. This resource is designed to complement ICPs and help clinicians optimize health outcomes for older adults living with complexity and/or frailty.
