Frailty Evaluation
Conveniently located to serve Portland, and Cumberland County Book a Free, Confidential ScreeningFrailty Evaluation
Measuring Strength, Resilience and Independence
At Age Management Center, our goal is to help you not only live longer, but live stronger. Frailty is a medical condition often associated with aging that reflects reduced strength, endurance and physiological reserve. Left unaddressed, frailty increases the risk of falls, hospitalization, disability, and loss of independence.
Our Frailty Evaluation provides a clear picture of your overall resilience, helping identify early warning signs and opportunities for improvement. By assessing key markers of physical and functional health, we can help you take steps to maintain vitality and independence for years to come.
Why Frailty Matters
Frailty isn’t just about age—it’s about how well your body can withstand and recover from stress, illness, or injury. A person may be considered frail if they demonstrate multiple signs such as unintentional weight loss, fatigue, slower walking speed, decreased grip strength, or reduced physical activity.
Identifying frailty early allows for:
- Preventing falls and injuries through strength-building and balance training
- Supporting independence with proactive lifestyle and medical strategies
- Personalizing longevity planning with targeted interventions for muscle, bone, and metabolic health
- Improving quality of life by addressing both physical and cognitive factors together
Who Should Consider a Frailty Evaluation?
Frailty can affect anyone, but it’s more common after age 65. This evaluation may be especially valuable for:
- Adults noticing decreased strength or stamina
- Individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis
- Patients recovering from surgery or illness who want to regain resilience
- Those planning proactively to maintain independence as they age
What is Physiological Reserve and Why Check for It?
Physiological reserve refers to your body’s ability to adapt to stress, recover from illness or injury, and maintain balance when faced with physical or emotional challenges. Think of it as the “extra capacity” your organs and systems have beyond what’s needed for everyday function.
- When you’re young and healthy, your heart, lungs, muscles, immune system, and brain all have plenty of reserve. For example, your heart may be able to pump twice the amount of blood you need at rest during exercise.
- As we age, or if chronic disease develops, this reserve diminishes. That means a smaller illness, surgery, or even a stressful event can push the body past its limit—making recovery slower or more complicated.
Why Physiological Reserve Matters
- High physiological reserve → quicker healing, better resilience, more independence.
- Low physiological reserve → greater risk of complications, falls, hospitalizations, or functional decline.
At Age Management Center, assessing physiological reserve is an important part of our frailty and longevity evaluations. By measuring markers such as strength, endurance, mobility, cognition, and metabolic health, we can see how much “reserve” your body has left—and take steps to protect or rebuild it.
The Process
- Comprehensive Assessment – Your provider will evaluate strength, balance, gait, endurance, weight changes, and other frailty indicators. As part of our Frailty Evaluation, we incorporate the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, a CDC-recommended assessment for measuring mobility and fall risk. The test is simple, quick, and highly effective. The TUG Test helps us understand your mobility, balance, and risk of falls. It is a validated marker for frailty and independence in older adults. When combined with other elements of our frailty evaluation—such as strength, nutrition, and resilience testing—the TUG Test provides a clear picture of your overall physical health and independence.
- Scoring & Benchmarking – Results are compared to validated frailty criteria and age-based norms.
- Action Plan – Your provider reviews the findings and recommends strategies, which may include exercise, nutrition, hormone optimization, physical therapy, or other interventions to restore strength and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is frailty inevitable with aging?
No. While risk increases with age, frailty is not inevitable. Many aspects—such as exercise, nutrition, and hormone balance—can be addressed to slow, halt, or even reverse progression.
How long does the evaluation take?
A typical frailty assessment can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
What happens if I am found to be frail or pre-frail?
Your provider will work with you on resources for improving your frailty risk. This may include resistance training, dietary adjustments, supplementation, fall-prevention strategies, and medical therapies to strengthen muscle and bone.
How often should I be evaluated?
We recommend repeating a frailty evaluation every 12–18 months or sooner if you experience new health challenges or functional decline.
Does this replace traditional screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms?
No. This test is designed to complement—not replace—standard screenings. You should continue to follow all recommended guidelines for traditional cancer screenings.
Building Strength for the Future
Frailty doesn’t have to define aging. With the right insights and interventions, you can preserve strength, mobility and independence. At Age Management Center, our Frailty Evaluation is part of a broader commitment to helping you live vibrantly—supporting both your lifespan and your healthspan.
Stay strong, stay independent.
Call (207) 774-1356 to schedule your Frailty Evaluation today.
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