In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka are joined by Dr Chris Bollen (Adelaide GP and Director of Bollen Health) and Jane Bollen (Primary Health Care Nurse Consultant) to discuss healthy ageing, focusing on primary care strategies for supporting muscle health, preventing frailty, and promoting independence from age 40 onwards.

Exploring the importance of addressing muscle health proactively, the role of GPs and nurses in screening for pre-frailty, and practical approaches for embedding evidence-based practices in health assessments.

Key Points:

• Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing: Highlighting that frailty can be prevented and reversed with early intervention, and it should not be assumed as a normal consequence of ageing.
• Importance of muscle health: Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) is a key factor in the development of frailty, and maintaining muscle strength is essential for prolonging independence and reducing complications.
• Simple interventions: Encouraging patients to perform simple strength exercises, such as regular sit-to-stands, and increasing dietary protein intake is said to be actionable self-management strategies.
• Patient-centred goals: Linking assessment and interventions to personal patient goals can improve engagement and drive meaningful behaviour change.
• Nutrition advice: Providing practical pointers for supporting protein intake and dispels myths about dietary restrictions in ageing, emphasising food-based approaches before supplementation.
• Reviewing current practice: Urges practices to focus on evidence-based assessments in health checks and care plans, instead of non-essential tests. Muscle health checks can be a valuable measure in nurse-led clinics and health assessments.

Providing primary care managers, nurses, and GPs with practical considerations for implementing muscle health initiatives and reframing healthy ageing as a core component of preventive care.

Link & Resources:

• Frailty Brochure
• RACGP Red Book- Frailty
• RACGP Silver Book
• Asia Pacific Clinical Practice Guidelines for Frailty 2017

Nutrition Assessment

• MNA

Dietitian Connection

• Malnutrition Resources for Patients
• Are you getting enough protein?
• 10 ways to get more protein.
• Protein Counter

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