The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA)
The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA), set up in 2012, gathers stakeholders at EU, national and regional level from the public and
private sector across different policy areas. Together they share knowledge and expertise on common interests and engage in activities and projects to find innovative solutions
that meet the needs of the ageing population.
Under the framework of the EIP on AHA, the Action Group on frailty prevention works to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of older people by promoting a better
understanding of frailty prevention and mitigation interventions for older people.
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eipaha/
ND-02-14-816-EN-N
WHAT IS FRAILTY?
Prevention of functional decline and frailty
for older people
A European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing priority
Frailty is a syndrome related to the ageing process that describes
the state of “limited functional reserve” or “failure to integrate
responses in the face of stress”
Frailty is associated with increased risk of:
The more vulnerable an individual is, the higher the risk of falls,
immobility or disability, institutionalisation and death
PHYSICAL DECLINE
Limitation of physical
functions such as
staying upright,
maintaining balance and
walking, leading to
disability
FUNCTIONAL DECLINE
Inability to engage in
activities necessary or
desirable in daily life,
leading to dependency
COGNITIVE DECLINE
Worsening of cerebral
abilities, leading to
delirium, loss of memory
and problems with
language thinking and
judgment
Frailty is a social care and healthcare challenge across the EU
FRAILTY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES
TRAINING AND CV/SKILLS
UPDATE FOR HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS
to adapt to the challenges of an
ageing society
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ADDRESS FRAILTY?
AWARENESS AND INFORMATION
campaigns on frailty for policy-makers,
health and care professionals and
relevant actors
What is the difference between
frailty and ageing?
What is the relationship between frailty
and chronic diseases?
What are the determinants of frailty? How
can we identify frailty's core components
(cognitive decline, functional decline)?
What is the role of physical activity
and adequate nutrition in preventing
and improving frailty conditions?
PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS
to help people remain healthy,
maintain their independence and
keep them out of hospital, (e.g.
promoting adequate nutrition and
physical activity programmes)
INNOVATIVE ORGANISATION
OF SERVICES
including a multidisciplinary approach
IDENTIFYING THOSE
AT MOST RISK
on the basis of patient health profile
and needs (e.g. screening, early
assessment of risk factors,
stratification methods)
The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) supports public
and private actors across the EU to contribute to prevent frailty through:
- lives with his wife, is robust and motivated
- exercises and is planning to run in a charity
half-marathon
- takes care of the garden and house
- takes his medication for hypertension
- lives with her chronically ill brother
aged 79
- feels well and motivated
- has no health problems and follows annual
doctor check-ups
- swims regularly and takes long walks
every aſternoon
- takes care of the house and her brother
- lives with her husband and his sister, cooks
and takes care of the house
- feels well and motivated, baby-sits
for her son
- goes for walks regularly and to the
cinema with her friends
- has diabetes and follows her diet
Guillaume, 78 years old Stefania, 69 years old
FRAILTY
THE OUTCOME OF THESE INTERVENTIONS WOULD BE INCREASING
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIKE…
RESEARCH
to advance our understanding on:
Diana, 75 years old
FRAILTY IS ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE…
THE RESEARCH PERSPECTIVETHE SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE THE CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE
Further work
is needed to advance
our understanding
A better social and urban
approach is needed
to prevent older frail people
from experiencing
loneliness and isolation
Much can be done to prevent
problems associated with old age
or to help people live well with
them, to retain their independence
and keep them out of hospital
VULNERABLE MILDY FRAIL SEVERELY FRAILMODERATELY FRAIL VERY SEVERELY FRAIL
- practiced sport regularly
until her mid 50s
- aſter retiring used to baby-sit
her grandchildren
- was diagnosed with
hepatic disease 3 years ago
- moved in with her daughter 2
months ago and is completely
dependent on her
- short-term memory impaired
- needs support from physician
and community nurse
- approaching end of her life
Wendy, 85 years old
- was a construction worker
- used to walk his dog 3 times
a day
- has had different health
problems in the last 10 years
- in the last years was admitted
in hospital twice for acute
asthma and knee surgery
- lives with his 65 year-old
wife
- dependent on personal care
- stable in the last few
months with regular
medication
João, 74 years old
- worked as a secretary
until the age of 60
- walked to work for 30min
every day
- avid lover of crosswords
- lives with her 55 year-old
daughter
- has no diagnosed diseases
and takes no medication
- lost weight unintentionally
in the last 6 months aſter
recovering from pneumonia
- her daughter assists her with
dressing, daily tasks and meals
María, 83 years old
- took care of the house and
family aſter getting married
50 years ago
- has lived alone since
her husband passed away
8 years ago
- had 2 cats
- daughter and grandchildren
visit once a month
- forgets recent events and
needs help with managing
finances and medication
- feels tired and can no
longer prepare her meals
- family doctor and community
nurses follow her up closely
Lisbeth, 78 years old
- was a university teacher
until retirement 3 years ago
- has lived alone since his wife
passed away a year ago
- has fallen twice in the last
few months with no major
consequences
- has difficulties in daily life
because of impaired vision
and hearing
- prepares his meals, walks,
baths and dresses on his own
- takes medication for
cardiovascular disease
Walter, 68 years old
?
BEFORE NOW
