Our population is ageing and, with this, the incidence of frailty is increasing. Frailty is defined as increased vulnerability to stressors resulting in adverse outcomes. Stressors can include communication and swallowing difficulties, yet these are poorly recognised. Management of communication difficulties in particular are not prioritised in older adults. This study explored the perspectives of seven speech and language therapists in Australia using qualitative interview methods. Participants were asked about frailty, including enablers, barriers, and opportunities for multidisciplinary improvements to frailty prevention and management. Thematic analysis identified three themes that demonstrated speech and language therapists receive little formal education on frailty, that there is a gap in speech and language therapy care for frail older adults and no clear role of speech and language therapy when working with these clients. Despite this, there is evidence that management of stressors such as communication difficulties could reduce social isolation. This could reduce the risk of frailty developing and thereby improve quality of life and maintain people’s independence for longer.
Strengthen your communication: better conversations can reduce the risk of frailty
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