Risk factors for age-related frailty

Goal: The objective of this study was to identify which risk factors nurses in the Slovak Republic perceive as most significant for validating the nursing diagnosis Risk for Frail Elderly Syndrome (NANDA I 2021-2023) in older patients. The Fehring's Diagnostic Content Validity model was used for validating the potential nursing diagnosis to find out the significance of the risk factors for the nursing diagnosis Risk for Frail Elderly Syndrome. The study included two samples: 126 nurses from healthcare facilities (n1) and 51 nurses from social service facilities (n2) who met the modified Fehring's criteria for an expert. Results: Out of the total number of 36 items, seven items in the n1 sample and 12 items in the n2 sample were identified as major (most frequently present) risk factors that can be predictors of age-related frailty. The samples reached an agreement on six major risk factors: impaired mobility, immobility, chronic illness, history of falls, age >70 years, and social isolation. Most risk factors were rated as minor (they were present less frequently). Conclusion: Due to the findings in the present study, we suggest considering their use as key risk factors in all older adults over 70 years of age to improve and facilitate nurses' assessment and guidance for the selection of interventions that are to be used to prevent frailty.