Frailty in Aging
Biological, Clinical and Social Implications
Interdisciplinary Topics in Gerontology and Geriatrics Series, Vol. 41

Frailty represents an important challenge for aging populations. As a concept it is full

of ‘known unknowns’ such as which mechanisms lead to frailty and how it is best managed.

In order to examine these circumstances, the new science of understanding and

managing frailty requires an appropriate framing of the problem. This publication investigates

the biology and management of frailty and its social aspects. It considers

these and related questions: How can we recognize frailty? How does an understanding

of frailty increase our comprehension of the aging process? What are its implications for

health care systems, including primary care, hospitals and rehabilitation? How will a

growing number of frail older adults affect society more generally? The book focuses on

frailty as a state of vulnerability, which is related to aging, but which can occur across

the life course, and aims to improve the life of frail people and those around them.

The book is highly recommended to researchers in aging, health science researchers,

health care professionals and anyone interested in the understanding of the aging process.

Introduction: Rockwood, K.; Theou, O.

The Biology of Frailty

- Frailty: Scaling from Cellular Deficit Accumulation? Rockwood, K.; Mitnitski, A.; Howlett, S.E.

- Assessment of Frailty in Animal Models: Howlett, S.E.

- Frailty, Inflammation and Immunosenescence: Fulop, T.; McElhaney, J.; Pawelec, G.; Cohen, A.A.;

Morais, J.A.; Dupuis, G.; Baehl, S.; Camous, X.; Witkowski, J.M.; Larbi, A.

- Sex Differences in Frailty: Hubbard, R.E.

- Frailty and the Microbiome: Meehan, C.J.; Langille, M.G.I.; Beiko, R.G.

Evaluation and Management of Frailty

- Operationalizing Frailty Using the Frailty Phenotype and Deficit Accumulation Approaches: Theou, O.; Walston, J.; Rockwood, K.

- Comparison and Clinical Applications of the Frailty Phenotype and Frailty Index Approaches: Theou, O.; Rockwood, K.

- Frailty in Primary Care: Romero-Ortuno, R.

- Hospital Care for Frail Elderly Adults: From Specialized Geriatric Units to Hospital-Wide Interventions: Bakker, F.C.; Olde Rikkert, M.G.M.

- Frailty and Mobility: Eeles, E.; Low Choy, N.

- Frailty and Interprofessional Collaboration: Briggs, M.C.E.; McElhaney, J.E.

- Frailty and Rehabilitation: Cameron, I.D.; Kurrle, S.E.

- End of Life Care in Frailty: Moorhouse, P.; Koller, K.; Mallery, L.

Social Aspects of Frailty

- Frailty and Organization of Health and Social Care: Clegg, A.; Young, J.

- Frailty’s Place in Ethics and Law: Some Thoughts on Equality, Autonomy and Limits and on Possibilities for Aging Citizens: McNally, M.; Lahey, W.

- Frailty and Social Vulnerability: Andrew, M.K.

Author Index/Subject Index