An international expert paper proposes using the concepts of frailty and intrinsic capacity together to bridge early prevention and care for complex older adults.
Key findings
- frailty helps identify vulnerable seniors who need specialized care.
- Intrinsic capacity looks at physical and mental abilities that should be preserved before severe deterioration occurs.
- Using these two concepts together helps design a care path from primary care to specialized geriatric services.
Why this matters globally
Low- and middle-income countries are aging rapidly. This framework is therefore important for designing health systems that connect prevention, community health, and geriatrics.
Thai researcher contribution
Prof. Dr. Prasert Assantachai from Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University Collaborate with experts from many regions to synthesize a framework for an elderly care system.
Limitations to consider
It is a conceptual and synthesis article. It is not a trial of the effectiveness of the service model. Therefore, there is still a need for research to evaluate its use in the health systems of each country.