Influencing Perception of Frailty Risk in Urban and Rural Older Adults

Abstract

Aims To investigate the effect of frailty education on the perception of frailty risk for urban and rural older adults. Methods Forty adults completed a frailty perception survey, the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and participated in a 6-week frailty intervention program. Results Urban older adults increased knowledge of frailty including identification of frailty risk (.0035, p < .05), importance of good nutrition as we age (.0015, p < .05) and confidence in accessing community resources (.000031, p < .05). Aggregate site results showed increased accessibility to frailty education including risk of frailty (2.24576E-12, p < .05), frailty criteria (3.29825E-12, p < .05), and reduction of frailty risk (1.21856E-09, p < .05) for rural and urban older adults. Fall prevention knowledge improved at both Urban and Rural A sites (.00021, p < .05). Conclusions The frailty education provided to urban and rural community dwelling older adults supported a change in the perceptions of frailty risk after participation in the program.