Frailty
If someone is living with frailty, it doesn’t mean they lack capacity or are incapable of living a full and independent life. When used properly, it actually describes someone's overall resilience and how this relates to their chance to recover quickly following health problems.
As people are living longer frailty is becoming more common and we are beginning to talk about how it affects peoples lives, and what can be done to help. NHS England describes frailty as a loss of resilience that means people don’t bounce back quickly after a physical or mental illness, an accident or other stressful event.
Frailty develops slowly over years with lots of small issues adding up. As a result, emergencies for frail people are usually triggered by seemingly small events such as a minor infection, a fall, or a change in medication.
Frailty is often subtle to start with, and for this reason it often goes unidentified for some time.
Changing perceptions Research shows that the public view the term ‘frailty’ negatively. Bristol Community Health (BCH) and many other organisations across the UK are working to renew the term and show that frailty does not just relate to someone who is incapable. Frailty is now widely accepted to be a long-term health condition.
Live Longer Better
Most people over 60 have at least one long term health condition and many have more than one. The good news is that we now know that everyone has the power to fight back and to look forward to a future in which they can feel and function better.
What is the Live Longer Better programme?
A free online programme with 10 parts that will discuss what happens to us as we get older and give practical guidance and tools to help you to achieve your potential. You will complete the programme in a small group of people who also have multiple health conditions; all supported by your health coach. It's designed to be completed over 10 weeks and is flexible, so you can complete it at a time, place and pace of your own choosing.
What do I need to do?
To access the programme you will need a computer, tablet device or phone that is able to stream video via the internet. If you do not have this or do not feel confident to use it, provide the email address of a friend or family member in the next step so they can support you in accessing the programme.
How do I get started?
Simply complete this form. We will then send you an email with an invitation to join the programme.