Spotlight on Frailty Prevention
Frailty affects up to one in four people aged 70 and over, increasing the risk of falls, functional decline, hospitalisation and reduced quality of life. Early detection and timely intervention can help older adults stay active, independent, and at home for longer.
To support general practices and practice teams across Western Sydney, WentWest has launched the Healthy Ageing Frailty Early Intervention Program —a practical, evidence‑based approach to help embed frailty screening into everyday care.
Facilitated by primary care experts, Dr Chris Bollen and Jane Bollen, the program is a limited opportunity for 20 general practices in Western Sydney.
What is Frailty?
Frailty occurs when gradual loss of strength, endurance and physiological reserve makes a person more vulnerable to illness and decline. People living with frailty have 2–3 times higher health‑care use and often experience poorer outcomes.
Importantly, frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing. Many contributing factors can be slowed, managed or improved through early, coordinated care.
Why Early Identification Matters
“Frailty screening empowers general practice to intervene early, improve outcomes and help older people stay connected to their communities for longer.” Dr Chris Bollen
Early identification allows general practice teams to intervene before significant decline occurs—improving function, preventing avoidable hospitalisations, and supporting healthier ageing.
Current recommendations support routine frailty screening for people aged 70+, using validated tools such as the FRAIL Scale to ensure accurate, consistent identification of pre‑frailty and frailty.
Screening helps clinicians recognise early changes in mobility, strength and resilience, and to coordinate timely, targeted interventions before a crisis occurs.
Early screening helps patients remain active, independent and engaged in their communities for longer.
Simple Tips to Support Healthy Ageing
Practices can easily build frailty screening into routine care by:
- Talking with patients aged 75+ about staying active and preventing falls
- Observing gait, mobility and weight changes during consultations
- Engaging Practice Nurses in screening, recalls and follow‑up
- Tailoring management plans using group programs, allied health or home‑based supports
Register today for the Healthy Ageing Frailty Early Intervention Program
This article was written with support from Dr Chris Bollen, FRACGP, Director of Bollen Health