Assessment of Elderly Perceptions toward Frailty at Geriatric Home Resident in Baghdad, Iraq

Background: Frailty is a multifaceted phenomenon characterized by a decline in physical, psychological, and social capacities, which are commonly observed in the elderly and have negative implications for overall well-being. Clinical manifestation of phenotype refers to a specific clinical condition characterized by reduced physiological reserves and heightened susceptibility to stresses. Objective: To assess perceptions of frailty among the elderly, quantify the extent of these perceptions, and examine the relationship between these perceptions and socio-demographic information. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out at Geriatric Home Resident in Baghdad City. Including 100 elderly people who chose from AL-Rashad and Al-Sulaikh Geriatric Home Resident, the questionnaire contains sociodemographic information and perceptions towards frailty. Results: 69% of the elderly were 65-70 years old, 67% were male, 38% had a secondary educational level, there was a fair level of perceptions toward frailty (60%), and there was a high significant relationship between elderly perceptions toward frailty and age, gender, lifestyle, and regular exercise. Conclusions: The study reveals the elderly hold equitable opinions of the concept of "frailty" and possess distinct interpretations of the term compared to the definition commonly employed in medical literature. Elderly people who possess a state of physical vulnerability are inclined to engage in conversations regarding frailty as a medical condition with their healthcare providers, albeit with a preference for avoiding explicit terminology associated with frailty.