From: Older adults’ perceptions and informational needs regarding frailty
Suggestions | Example |
---|---|
Provide hope | “They are frail but give them the message that there’s definitely hope and here’s some things that they can do. Hope is the most important thing.” |
Emphasize “frailty” as a medical diagnosis | “I’d find a better way to …make it sound more medical… indicate that it definitely is a diagnosed condition.” |
Avoid the term “frailty” | “It’s not like it’s a new word, it’s been in the vernacular for a long time and I think different people have different thoughts about it. I don’t think I’d say to anybody: ‘you are frail.’” |
Involve others in the conversation | “Some news you can’t really handle by yourself…so you need a supportive network to get you through the situation.” |
Written information | “Some written material with suggestions that’s really thought through is also helpful for the patient to take home.” |
Tailor the discussion to the individual | “Everybody’s frailty is different. It sounds like there’s so many things that you can be labeled as frail…I think they have to deal with it like an individualized frailty.” |