A study by Flinders University has revealed that preventing frailty in older Australians could lead to significant economic savings and improved quality of life.
The research, published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International, highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this escalating health crisis.
Lead author Barbara Toson, a biostatistician at Flinders’ College of Medicine and Public Health, emphasised the timeliness of the study: “As Australia’s population ages, the costs associated with frailty are set to climb, making it critical to address this issue now.”
This research, one of the first to examine the economic impact of frailty from the healthcare system’s perspective, utilised data from the Registry of Senior Australians.
The study found that healthcare costs for frail older adults were significantly higher than for their non-frail counterparts. Over a three-year period, the total healthcare costs for 39,363 frail individuals identified during their first aged care assessment in 2013 were estimated at $1.28 billion, compared to $885 million for non-frail individuals. This results in an annual excess cost of $130.8 million to the Australian government, primarily driven by hospital admissions.
Senior author Professor Jon Karnon stressed the importance of proactive care: “If we do nothing, we risk overwhelming the healthcare system with preventable costs that could be managed through more proactive care.”
The research also revealed that frail individuals were 76% more likely to die and 73% more likely to enter permanent residential aged care compared to their non-frail counterparts.
With the prevalence of frailty projected to increase from 11% in 2016 to 16% by 2027, the authors call for urgent action. “Frailty isn’t just a health issue; it’s a significant economic challenge for our healthcare system. By investing in early screening and interventions, we can not only improve the quality of life for older adults but also help ease the financial burden on our healthcare services,” Toson said.
The study underscores the need for systematic frailty assessments and increased investment in prevention programs, including physical exercise, nutrition, and multidisciplinary care services in primary care settings.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
