Table 3.
Diagnostic and Management Program for an Older Individual who has Deficits on the FRAIL Questionnaire (Copyright Saint Louis University and John E. Morley)
| Potential Deficits |
|---|
| Fatigue: Exclude Depression |
| Exclude Sleep Apnea |
| Measure TSH, Vitamin B12 and Hemoglobin |
| Exclude low blood pressure or orthostasis resistance or Aerobic: Aerobic and Resistance exercise |
| Leucine enriched essential amino acid supplement |
| Measure bioavailable vitamin D and replace if low |
| Illnesses: Remove inappropriate medications including those causing side effects |
| Reduce Polypharmacy |
| Loss of Weight: Exclude depression |
| Stop drugs causing weight loss |
| Check for elderly abuse |
| Is the person paranoic (late life paranoia) or afraid being overweight will kill them? |
| Does the person have dysphagia? |
| Are there oral problems making chewing difficult? |
| Does the person have a nosocomial infection, e.g., Helicobacter pylori or tuberculosis? |
| Does the person have dementia? |
| Does the person have hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease or pheochromocytoma? |
| Does the person have celiac disease or pancreatic insufficiency? |
| Does the person have eating difficulties? |
| Is person on low salt, low cholesterol or other therapeutic diet? |
| Does the person have cholecystitis? |