A minor illness that one person recovers from quickly can have a much greater impact on someone living with frailty.
Recognising frailty early can help staff understand what has changed, what matters to the person and what could make a difference.
To help with this, the Frailty Network has launched a new LearnPro module called What is Frailty, How Do We Identify It and Why?
The short, interactive module is for staff working across acute and community health and social care services who care for older adults. It explains frailty in clear language, shows how it can be identified and explores what should happen next.
Taking around 30 minutes to complete, the module uses realistic case examples to help staff understand and apply the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale(CFS). Staff consider everyday details such as a person’s mobility, independence and ability to manage personal care, meals, shopping and household tasks.
CFS scores should reflect how someone usually managed during the two weeks before their current illness or injury, rather than how they appear at the point of assessment. Through interactive scenarios, staff can practise choosing the most appropriate score and build their confidence in using the scale consistently.
Identifying frailty is not simply about recording a score. It should help staff consider what the person needs and what could help them maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.
Depending on their circumstances, this could include earlier support from different health and care professionals, a review of medicines, conversations about future care, a wellbeing review or a more appropriate care pathway.
Dr Helen McKee, Care of the Elderly Consultant, said: “Frailty is not an inevitable part of getting older. It describes reduced resilience and increased vulnerability, which can mean that an illness or injury has a greater effect on someone’s health, wellbeing and ability to manage day to day.
“Recognising frailty early gives us a clearer understanding of the person and helps us think about what could make a meaningful difference.
“The frailty Learnpro module is a simple, practical and user-friendly module. The case examples help staff understand not only how to identify frailty, but why it matters and what should happen next.
“I’d strongly encourage everyone who works with older adults to complete it. Using the Clinical Frailty Scale consistently will help build confidence in this area, speak the same language around frailty and make better person-centred decisions.”
The module supports NHS Lanarkshire’s work to develop a shared and consistent understanding of frailty across professions and care settings. This will support clearer communication and more joined-up decisions as people move between home, community services and hospital care.
The Frailty Network is also exploring options for primary care and social care colleagues who do not routinely have access to the platform.
The module can be accessed on LearnPro here.
Further communications about the Frailty Dashboard will be shared later this year.
