What is frailty?

This article was written in collaboration with the Australian Frailty Network (AFN).

Photograph by Di East for Picture Yourself (CC BY-NC).

What is frailty, and why is early awareness important?

Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability. It can affect strength, energy, and resilience over time. Frailty happens when the body loses some of its physical and physiological reserves across several body systems. This makes it harder to cope with everyday stressors. Someone who is frail may take longer to recover from events such as a urinary tract infection or a fractured hip.

Frailty can develop for many reasons, including:

• Increasing age
• Chronic health conditions
• Social isolation

Around 20–24% of older adults in Australia are frail, with a further 50% considered pre-frail. While the risk increases with age, frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing. With the right support, it can often be prevented, delayed, or even reversed.

Why this matters for you – and how it connects to everyday life

Older adults living with frailty are more likely to experience serious health impacts, even from minor issues. This can include a sudden decline in health after common illnesses like the flu, or events such as a fall. People with frailty are also more likely to need hospitalisation, require long‑term care, or experience earlier death.

Frailty does not always appear suddenly. It often shows up in small, everyday ways, such as:

• Feeling weaker or more tired than usual
• Moving more slowly or noticing changes in balance
• Taking longer than expected to recover from illness

Recognising these early signs creates an opportunity to take action. Acting early can help you maintain your strength, independence, and quality of life for longer.

Self-check questions – are you at risk of frailty?

This self‑check is based on the Morely FRAIL Scale:

1. In the last 4 weeks, did you feel tired all or most of the time?
2. In the last 4 weeks by yourself and not using aids, did you have any difficulty walking up 10 steps without resting?
3. In the last 4 weeks by yourself and not using aids, did you have difficulty walking 300 meters?
4. Do you have 5 or more illnesses? Including hypertension, diabetes, cancer (excluding minor skin cancer), chronic lung disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina, asthma, arthritis, and kidney disease.
5. Have you lost more than 5 kg or 5% of your body weight in the past year?

What to do next?

If you answered yes to 2 or more questions, talk to your healthcare provider. They can assess your level of frailty and help you develop a plan to manage it.

You can talk to your doctor about exercise programs, or referrals to your local exercise physiologist, dietitian, or other healthcare professional that is suitable for you.

Learn more with the Australian Frailty Network

You can explore trusted resources from the Australian Frailty Network (AFN) to learn more about frailty.

A simple place to start – AFN’s What is frailty? resource

The What is frailty? resource is a clear, easy‑to‑understand starting point. It explains what frailty is, why it occurs, and what can be done to prevent or manage it.

AFN’s national recommendations on frailty

AFN recently brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to develop Australia’s consensus statements on frailty prevention and management.

The statements cover health promotion and screening, exercise, nutrition, medications, social engagement, and management of severe frailty.

Together, the group developed 19 key recommendations.

Who is the AFN and how do they support healthy ageing?

The Australian Frailty Network is a national organisation that works to improve the health and wellbeing of older Australians, as well as their families and carers. AFN leads a national approach to frailty by bringing together:

• Older people
• Health professionals
• Researchers
• Policy‑makers

Through research, education, and teamwork, AFN helps people:

• Understand frailty
• Recognise it early
• Take steps to prevent it or slow it down

This supports healthier ageing and better quality of life across Australia.

Everyday habits to reduce your risk of frailty

You can take steps at any age to reduce your risk of frailty:

• Look after your body and mind.
• Stay active, eat well, and support your mental health.
• Get preventative care, such as allied health support, to help you stay independent as you age.

Many causes of frailty can be managed, and some can be reversed. 

Explore the resources and take the next step

Visit AFN's What is frailty? and Managing frailty pages to learn more.

In collaboration with UQ’s Centre for Health System Reform and Integration team, AFN has also contributed to helpful brochures on:

• Diet and vitamins
• Exercise
• Simple ways to age well

Consider sharing this information with a partner, family member, or friend.

You can also explore related LiveUp content on strength, nutrition, mental health, and staying active.

If you need more information about healthy ageing, take the LiveUp quiz or get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.  

References

Australian Frailty Network. (n.d.). Australian consensus statement on the prevention and management of frailty among community-dwelling older adults. https://www.afn.org.au/national-consensus-statements/

Australian Frailty Network. (n.d.). Managing frailty. https://www.afn.org.au/managing-frailty/

Australian Frailty Network. (n.d.). Overview. https://www.afn.org.au/overview/

Australian Frailty Network. (n.d.). What is frailty? https://www.afn.org.au/what-is-frailty/

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