Australian Consensus Statement on the Prevention and Management of Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Modified Delphi Study

Sakshi Chopra; Ida Tornvall; Natasha Reid; Elizabeth Whiting; Sarah N. Hilmer; Jenny Job; Anthony Villani; Andrew J. Maiorana; Mark Morgan; Sarah Fox; Adrienne Young; Caroline Gibson; Donna M. Reidlinger; Elissa Burton; Emily H. Gordon; James Baker; Leila Shafiee Hanjani; Lisa Kouladjian O'Donnell; Marc Sim; Michelle Miller; Peta Dampney; Pazit Levinger; Shannon King; Ruth E. Hubbard; Australian Frailty Network Working Group

doi:10.5694/mja2.70182

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Australian Consensus Statement on the Prevention and Management of Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Modified Delphi Study

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Australian Consensus Statement on the Prevention and Management of Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Modified Delphi Study

Sakshi Chopra, Ida Tornvall, Natasha Reid, Elizabeth Whiting, Sarah N. Hilmer, Jenny Job, Anthony Villani, Andrew J. Maiorana, Mark Morgan, Sarah Fox, …

Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.224(5), pp.1-13

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70182

PMID: 42083402

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Abstract

ageing

community health services

diet

geriatrics

health promotion

health services for the aged

pharmacy

primary healthcare

public health

Introduction This consensus statement from multidisciplinary experts and consumers across Australia provides comprehensive recommendations on the prevention and management of frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Methods The study uses a modified Delphi design. Phase I involved iterative discussion among six frailty care working groups, based on current evidence and expert opinion, to draft the statements. Phase II involved validation of each statement across two Delphi rounds conducted to determine level of agreement. Main Recommendations A lifelong approach to health promotion for frailty prevention should focus on raising awareness, annual screening (65+ years) and personalised counselling around accessible health behaviours to manage chronic comorbidities. An individualised, balanced, protein-rich diet is likely to be effective in delaying the onset of frailty. Protein–energy malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies should be identified and treated. A nutrition care plan that considers the relaxation of dietary restrictions aligned with goals of care should be planned for older adults with severe frailty. Progressive, individualised and ongoing exercise should be a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise, and balance and functional training tailored to frailty level and supervised by professionals. Social prescribing for older adults should be co-designed with a link worker to support meaningful, accessible and culturally appropriate activities that foster social engagement, with plans customised to the individual's frailty level. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary medication review tailored to the older adult's health status, preferences and frailty degree helps optimise medication use, minimise harm and support functional independence across all stages of frailty. Older adults with severe frailty need a regularly reviewed, personalised care plan, which involves carers in decision-making, supports advance care planning and ensures high-quality end-of-life care. Changes in Management Informed by This Statement The consensus statements introduce an integrated, evidence-informed and consumer-focused framework to guide healthcare professionals in delivering personalised and effective care for community-dwelling older adults living with or at risk of frailty.

Details

Title: Australian Consensus Statement on the Prevention and Management of Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Modified Delphi Study
Authors: Sakshi Chopra - The University of Queensland
Ida Tornvall - The University of Queensland
Natasha Reid - The University of Queensland
Elizabeth Whiting - Prince Charles Hospital
Sarah N. Hilmer - Royal North Shore Hospital
Jenny Job - Mater Research
Anthony Villani - University of the Sunshine Coast
Andrew J. Maiorana - Curtin University
Mark Morgan - Bond University
Sarah Fox - The University of Queensland
Adrienne Young - The University of Queensland
Caroline Gibson - Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association
Donna M. Reidlinger - The University of Queensland
Elissa Burton - Curtin University
Emily H. Gordon - The University of Queensland
James Baker - Southern Cross University
Leila Shafiee Hanjani - The University of Queensland
Lisa Kouladjian O'Donnell - The University of Sydney
Marc Sim - The University of Western Australia
Michelle Miller - Flinders University
Peta Dampney - The University of Queensland
Pazit Levinger - National Ageing Research Institute
Shannon King - The University of Queensland
Ruth E. Hubbard (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland
Australian Frailty Network Working Group
Publication details: Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.224(5), pp.1-13; 13
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70182
ISSN: 1326-5377
PMID: 42083402
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Medical Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AMPCo Pty Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Data Availability: The authors have nothing to report.
Grant note: The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by Queensland Health in commissioning the development and validation of consensus statements.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991229307202621
Output Type: Journal article

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