A profile of hospitalized seniors at risk of frailty in Canada

April 10, 2025 — Understanding the risk of frailty among seniors and the impact that frailty can have on health needs and outcomes can help health planners develop and improve plans to support seniors with complex medical needs.

More than 40% of hospitalized seniors are at risk of frailty. More than 400,000 seniors at risk are admitted each year. Seniors at risk have 6 or more deficits.

Seniors at risk of frailty are more likely to need care. These seniors are 3 times more likely to be high users of hospital beds, 3 times more likely to be hospitalized for 30 days or longer, 2 times more likely to be readmitted within 30 days after discharge and 2 times more likely to die within 1 year after discharge.

Seniors at risk of frailty have complex medical needs. The top 6 deficits that affect seniors at risk are hypo- and hypertension, cardiac and vascular disease, infection, nutrition and wasting, diabetes and renal disease.

A profile of hospitalized seniors at risk of frailty in Canada

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