ALL HANDS ON DECK TO WORK WELL

This scenario is becoming more common in Singapore as elderly residents live alone, either out of a strong preference for independence and reluctance to burden their families, or due to the lack of a close support network from family or friends.

Not everyone who is frail regains function like Mdm M and many end up needing help with care or having to make new living arrangements. A handful of longer-than-necessary hospital stays as they await long-term care placements, which are also limited island-wide.

In the long term, apart from better acute care for frail patients in hospital, the momentum must be continued when they return to the community. Ultimately, the goal is to have an integrated and coordinated support system so that frail seniors can age as long as possible in an environment with which they are familiar.

After discharge, Mrs. M did rehabilitation sessions in the Day Recovery Center. She also now attends the Center for Active Aging near her home and participates in a variety of activities that she enjoys.

Frailty is a complex, multidimensional syndrome. Providing quality healthcare to frail older adults requires a very different approach to the single-disease model.

In addition to addressing frailty when patients arrive at the hospital door, community-based prevention programs will promote early detection and facilitate the implementation of interventions such as nutrition, physical activity and social support – key elements in preventing or slowing the progression of frailty. .

Developing a health and social care system that leads to the care of frail older adults is an important step towards improving their well-being and helping them achieve the holy grail of healthy ageing.