Fear of being called 'frail' deters older people from asking for help

Older people don’t like to ask for help as they fear they may be defined as ‘frail’ and lose their independence.

The British Geriatrics Society and Age UK carried out research looking at older people’s perceptions of frailty, and the language used to define it.

They concluded that health professionals need to use more positive language that promotes more positive aspects of what evidence-based healthcare can offer, rooted in what people can do rather than what they cannot do.

Professor David Oliver, president of the British Geriatric Society, said: “We know that we can intervene to improve the health and wellbeing of older people, even when they have advanced frailty. However patients often do not recognise that effective healthcare interventions exist, or that they are relevant to them as individuals.

“What this market research study tells us is that language is getting in the way of delivering effective healthcare. We, as healthcare professionals, need to find a way to communicate more effectively about these issues so that older people can access services that will help them stay healthier for longer.”

Possible solutions in the study include avoiding the use the term 'frailty’ or ‘frail’ when caring for and supporting older people and having discussions around the concepts of independence, enablement and resilience.

A final report from the research will be published shortly.