@article{6da6f8b3d0c548ab9e335b1f51886e98,
title = "Critical reflections on the blind sides of frailty in later life",
abstract = "Since the 1970's, frailty emerged as a major theme and has become one of the most researched topics in aging studies. However, throughout the years, the concept 'frailty' became susceptible to different interpretations and has been approached by different synonyms, which resulted in a confusing picture. Based on a narrative literature review, this theoretical paper not only attempts to describe these different views on frailty, but by criticizing the dominance of some of these views, it also aspires to move the research and policy agenda on frailty forward. This paper is part of the D-SCOPE project in Belgium, and critically reflects on the blind sides of the biomedical domination of frailty and discusses three main themes: 1) frailty as a multidimensional and multilevel concept; 2) positive perspectives on frailty in later life; and 3) the suggestion of moving from a merely deficit-based frailty approach towards the concept of frailty-balance. At the theoretical level, conceptualizing frailty is not simply an exercise in semantics, but altering the theoretical definition of frailty can have wide-ranging implications, not only for the way frailty prevalence is measured and handled, but also for public or personal opinions on frailty in older people, for care and support practices, and for the scope of legislation. Therefore, the final section of the paper presents three building blocks for future research and policy-making: 1) adopting a multidimensional, multilevel, dynamic and positive view on frailty; 2) moving from dependency to interdependency; and 3) giving voice to (the resilience of) frail older people.",
keywords = "Frailty, Older people, Theory, Perceptions of aging, OLDER-ADULTS, COGNITIVE FRAILTY, ADVERSE OUTCOMES, CARE, HEALTH, PEOPLE, DEFINITION, RISK, HOME, AGE",
author = "{De Donder}, Liesbeth and Smetcoren, {A-. S.} and Schols, {J. M. G. A.} and {van der Vorst}, Anne and E. Dierckx and D. Lambotte and B. Fret and D. Duppen and M. Kardol and D. Verte and L. Hoeyberghs and {De Witte}, N. and {De Roeck}, E. and S. Engelborghs and Dedeyn, {P. P.} and {Van der Elst}, {M. C. J.} and {De Lepeleire}, J. and B. Schoenmakers and Zijlstra, {G. A. R.} and Kempen, {G. I. J. M.} and {D-SCOPE Consortium}",
note = "Funding Information: The D-SCOPE consortium is an international research consortium and is composed of researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium (dr. A-.S. Smetcoren, prof. dr. L. De Donder, prof. dr. E. Dierckx, D. Lambotte, B. Fret, D. Duppen, prof. dr. M. Kardol, prof. dr. D. Vert{\'e}); College University Ghent, Belgium (L. Hoeyberghs, Prof. dr. N. De Witte); Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium (E. De Roeck, prof. dr. S. Engelborghs, prof. dr. P.P. Dedeyn); Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (M.C.J. Van der Elst, prof. dr. J. De Lepeleire, prof. dr. B. Schoenmakers) and Maastricht University, The Netherlands (A. van der Vorst, dr. G.A.R. Zijlstra, prof. dr. G.I.J.M. Kempen, prof. dr. J.M.G.A. Schols). The research of the D-SCOPE consortium, commissioned and funded by the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology, is embedded in the Strategic Basic Research (IWT-140027-SBO). We acknowledge the Stakeholder Committee for their support and cooperation throughout the research. Funding Information: The research of the D-SCOPE consortium, commissioned and funded by the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology , is embedded in the Strategic Basic Research ( IWT-140027-SBO ). We acknowledge the Stakeholder Committee for their support and cooperation throughout the research. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019",
year = "2019",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.jaging.2019.100787",
language = "English",
volume = "49",
pages = "66--73",
journal = "Journal of Aging Studies",
issn = "0890-4065",
publisher = "Elsevier Science",
}