What does dying from frailty look like?
Dying from frailty often looks like a slow loss of strength and reserve.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.
Dying from frailty often looks like a slow loss of strength and reserve. The person may become weaker, sleep more, eat and drink less, lose weight, fall more often, get infections, become confused, and need help with most or all daily care. A small illness, such as a chest infection or fall, may cause a decline they do not recover from.
Frailty is not one disease. It means the body has less ability to bounce back from stress. It is common in very old age, especially when a person also has dementia, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease or several long-term conditions.
What families may notice
The person may spend more time sitting or lying down. They may move more slowly, need help to stand, or stop walking. They may lose interest in meals because the body is using less energy, swallowing is harder, or eating is tiring.
They may become more sensitive to medicines, dehydration, infection, constipation, pain or a change of environment. A hospital stay can sometimes help, but it can also be tiring and confusing. This is why goals of care become important: what treatment is likely to help this person, and what may add burden?
Confusion or delirium can happen, especially with infection, pain, dehydration, constipation, urine retention, medicine side effects or a move to hospital. Delirium is sudden confusion. It deserves clinical review because some causes can be treated.
The final days
When death is close, the person may sleep most of the time. They may take only small sips or stop eating and drinking. They may no longer swallow tablets. Breathing can become uneven or noisy. Hands and feet may become cool. Urine usually becomes much less.
Families sometimes worry that the person is being "starved". Near death, the body often cannot use food and fluid in the same way. Mouth care, lip balm and small sips if safe may give more comfort than trying to push food or drink. Ask the nurse or doctor what is safest.
What care can help
Care should focus on comfort, skin care, mouth care, safe moving, continence care, pain relief, calm surroundings and support for family. A palliative approach can be used in aged care, at home, in hospital or in a palliative care unit.
For older people at home, My Aged Care describes end-of-life care and support options, including the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway for some people with a prognosis of 3 months or less. Access depends on eligibility and local services, so ask the GP, aged care provider or palliative care team early.
When to get help now
Contact the GP, aged care nurse or palliative care team if the person has new pain, distress, fever, breathlessness, a fall, sudden confusion, reduced urine, choking, a pressure injury, or a change that worries you.
Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency unless the person is expected to die and there is a clear plan for who to call instead. If the person wants to avoid hospital where possible, ask the treating team to write down what to do after hours.
You may also want to read
- What does dying from dementia look like?
- How do I tell my children that someone they love is dying?
- Should children visit someone who is dying?