Serving Our Seniors Magazine - July - Sept 2024

In May 2024, I interviewed Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, Endowed Chair of Geriatric Innovation, Section Chief – Center for Geriatric Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. I asked him to explain “frailty,” for the benefit of the reader in the 60 – 69 age group. In simple, easy-to-understand, terms, he said, “Frailty is when men and women experience a decrease in the amount of muscle mass and it is replaced by fatty tissue.” This change causes older people to become weaker, physically. Decreased grip strength, a slow walking speed and a low level of energy (fatigue) are other accompanying symptoms of frailty seen in the “young-older adult”. He explained these signs of frailty can exist in those who are age 60 – 69, but often go undetected. In this age group, it tends to appear as decreased energy. “Patients tell me they notice when they are walking with others, they aren’t keeping up. Another example is gardening. They find it is not as easy as it was in the past. They get tired, now.” He advises, symptoms like this warrant an evaluation by a geriatrician. This gives the patient and the doctor a baseline, as a point of reference to compare in the future. For a geriatrician, grip strength very telling. It is an indicator of the likelihood of frailty advancing sooner rather than later. An older adult with poor grip strength – especially if coupled with slow walking speed -- is more likely to experience: • Infections • A longer time to recover after hospitalization; or after being very ill at home. • A greater likelihood for nursing home care • Early death There are two things in an older person’s control to mitigate frailty. “The key is the person must do these things every single day (he emphasized every day) to fend off frailty - good nutrition and exercise. ” “Eating healthy sources of protein are critical.” Baked/grilled seafood, white meat, tofu and eggs, lentils and dairy are the best. “Ideally, all three of the meals should balanced, but high in protein.” Exercise is great for brain health and for your body. “Lifting weights or using resistance bands are very good at preventing muscle loss.” He pointed out, it is not important how much weight you lift nor that you exercise for a long time. “What is most important is that you exercise every single day.” I asked, if someone is noticing these declines in their 70’s, is it too late? “No. It’s never too late. I have seen people improve when they were in their 80’s.” For those readers who are thinking, I’m too old, it’s too late for me, Hashmi says, “No such thing. That is a complete myth. We need to debunk this myth. This is what society wants us to believe, but don’t fall for it.” Register NOW for Serving Our Seniors dinner/forum. Speaker, Dr. Ronan Factora, Geriatrician, Cleveland Clinic. “The Warning Signs of Frailty: Its Prevention and Treatment in Later Life, July 31, 2024, 1058 Event Center, 1058 Cleveland Rd – Sandusky. Doors open at 1:30pm, forum at 2pm. Dinner served at 3:45pm - Roasted Beef Sirloin, vegetable, potato, coffee, iced tea, lemonade. A $10 refundable deposit required (check or cash only). Payable to Serving Our Seniors due by July 17, 2024, to reserve your seat. Include your name, phone #, the name of this event. Refunds given immediately after of the forum. Those who fail to attend, arrive late or leave early will not receive their refund. FRAILTY in the 60 – 69 18