How can I help my Mum or Dad? 10 Practical Steps To Fight Frailty

We all intuitively recognise when our parent is becoming more "Frail".

"Frailty" is now a recognised condition with clear definition.

A state of increased vulnerability and increased dependence after

a stressor event        

Events such as falls, urine infections, chest infections, a hospital admission will result in your parent becoming increasingly dependent, sometimes more confused and unable to care for themselves as they normally would. This deterioration maybe temporary or a permanent step down in their abilities to cope.

Whilst I will talk about ways we can avoid frailty in other articles. I think it is important for those caring for a parent or parent with frailty to be aware of how they can take some key actions to empower themselves and their parent.

10 Practical steps to fight frailty

1. Get a thorough comprehensive assessment and healthcare plan

This is sometimes called a comprehensive geriatric assessment and covers mobility, medical issues, medication, review of their home environment, speech and language assessment, dietitian review, physiotherapy review.

It involves a multidisciplinary team approach. It helps produce a plan that takes into account the "whole picture" and what "matters most" to your parent.

This is used by teams in the community sometimes known as District nursing teams, Neighbourhood teams, Rapid Response teams, Admission prevention teams - usually the route is via referral by the GP or you can sometimes self refer

2. Discuss your parents’ future thoughts about their care and long-term wishes

Talking about loss of independence and death can be difficult. However it is usually easier to discuss these issues when you and your parent feel well. In the UK a RESPECT form can aid these conversations.

Ask your parent if they have a RESPECT form and Advanced Care Plan, if they do not, they can discuss with their GP practice.

3. Address Easier wins!

There is no magic wand however here are some practical things you can do:

-???????Hearing

Get ears examined check for wax and check hearing aids are working correctly. Better hearing can make a huge difference to quality of life.

-???????Vision

Get checked by an optician. Better vision helps avoid falls and improves quality of life

-??? Dentition

Check dentures are correctly fitting enabling better speech and eating

4. Nutrition

Weight loss can be a problem as older adults lose their appetite. This impacts on muscle mass, mobility, general well being.

Check weight and height and calculate BMI Weight in Kilograms (kg) divided by height in Centimetres (cm), if BMI is below 18.5 that is underweight. Your GP could refer for a dietitian review.

5. Encourage activity

Housework, gardening, pottering is all activity. Encourage activity and mobility. As per the mantra "Use it or lose it"

Local gyms and the local authority may run free or subsidised classes face to face or virtually suitable for older adults.

6. Socialise

Loneliness is a huge problem for older adults and has a detrimental effect on health.

Activity classes ran by third sector organisations exist. Age UK can support.

7. Don't wait for a crisis – be prepared

Familiarise yourself with the suitable contact information if your parent has a care crisis and cannot look after themselves.

This maybe social services, a Neighbourhood team, the mental health crisis team.

Being prepared and proactive may help avoid a hospital admission.

8. Discuss Lasting Power of Attorney (LPOA) with your parent

Obtaining Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Finance is helpful when a crisis occurs. If your parent loses capacity, ?you cannot then obtain it.

Having LPOA for finance make things like paying their bills for them and managing their finances on their behalf easier if they are incapacitated and unwell.

Your parent can obtain a LPOA for health and finance via:

9.??Discuss things as a family

As a GP working in frailty I found having a key family member cascade information to other family members (with permission of course) very helpful. I always encouraged families to involve each other in decisions and keep each other up to date.

Families don’t always get on with each other but it is best to put feelings aside to ensure your parent gets the best support from you.

10. Get support for yourself

Having a love one in need can effect on your well-being. Seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed.

There are third sector organisations who may be able to support or signpost you such as Age UK, Local Carers Association, Carers UK, Admiral Nurses, The Stroke association, Headway and others local to you.

Thankyou for reading, if you find this article helpful please like it and share with others it may help. Please leave feedback in comments or DM me.

Dr Kirsten Protherough

Founder Healthacate

Empowerment in Healthcare