Definition, assessment and management of frailty for people with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review

Abstract

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disabilities may experience frailty earlier than the general population. This scoping review aimed to investigate how frailty is defined, assessed, and managed in adults with an intellectual disability; factors associated with frailty; and the potential impact of COVID‐19 on frailty identification and management.MethodDatabases were searched from January 2016 to July 2023 for studies that investigated frailty in individuals with intellectual disabilities.ResultsTwenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Frailty prevalence varied between 9% and 84%. Greater severity of intellectual disability, presence of Down syndrome, older age, polypharmacy, and group home living were associated with frailty. Multiagency working, trusted relationships and provision of evidence‐based information may all be beneficial in frailty management.ConclusionFrailty is common for people with intellectual disabilities and is best identified with measures specifically designed for this population. Future research should evaluate interventions to manage frailty and improve lives.