Identifying frailty risk profiles of home-dwelling older people: focus on sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. (3rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dury, Sarah; De Roeck, Ellen; Duppen, Daan; Fret, Bram; Hoeyberghs, Lieve; Lambotte, Deborah; Van der Elst, Michaël; van der Vorst, Anne; Schols, Jos; Kempen, Gertrudis; Rixt Zijlstra, G.A.; De Lepeleire, Jan; Schoenmakers, Birgitte; Kardol, Tinie; De Witte, Nico; Verté, Dominique; De Donder, Liesbeth; De Deyn, Peter Paul; Engelborghs, Sebastiaan; Smetcoren, An-Sofie; Dierckx, Eva
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 21:Number 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1031
• Page End: 1039
• Publication Date: 2017-10-03
• Subjects: Frail older adults -- frailty -- multiple linear regressions -- populations at risk -- risk factors; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1193120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This paper investigates risk profiles of frailty among older people, as these are essential for detecting those individuals at risk for adverse outcomes and to undertake specific preventive actions. Frailty is not only a physical problem, but also refers to emotional, social, and environmental hazards. Methods: Using data generated from the Belgian Ageing Studies, a cross-sectional study ( n = 28, 049), we tested a multivariate regression model that included sociodemographic and socioeconomic indicators as well as four dimensions of frailty, for men and women separately. Results: The findings indicated that for both men and women, increased age, having no partner, having moved house in the previous 10 years, having a lower educational level and having a lower household income are risk characteristics for frailty. Moreover, when looking at the different frailty domains, different risk profiles arose, and gender-specific risk characteristics were detected. Discussion: This paper elaborates on practical implications, and formulates a number of future research recommendations to tackle frailty in an aging society. The conclusion demonstrates the necessity for a thorough knowledge of risk profiles of frailty, as this will save both time and money and permit preventive actions to be more individually tailored.