There comes a time for all of us when we start to notice our older relatives starting to slow down. But it’s not always obvious which changes we should just accept, and when to seek professional advice and perhaps intervention. Luckily, Dr Catherine Frankum, one of our fabulous GPs, has a special interest in frailty. We managed to waylay her in clinic just before the Easter weekend, to get her top tips for supporting our elderly loved ones as they age.

WGP: What are the 3 most important things we can do to maintain our health and independence as we age?

Dr Catherine: Number 1 - Keeping active! The benefits of exercise to both mental and physical well being are too many to count. Try to embed movement in to your daily routine - dog walking, dancing and social sport all count - if you enjoy it, you're more likely to be consistent. Try to incorporate some strength work as well to counteract the muscle loss that comes with age.

Number 2- You get out what you put in - a balanced diet (fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, oily fish, and small amounts of low-fat dairy and lean meat) will take you a long way in supporting the body as you age. Alongside moderating alcohol and stopping smoking. If a varied diet is difficult for any reason - taking an A-Z multivitamin (Vitamin D is especially important!) will help support you.

Number 3- Attend checkups and screening and be mindful of new symptoms We are incredibly fortunate in the UK to have NHS screening programmes for Bowel cancer (54-74 years) Breast Cancer (50-70 years) Aortic Aneurysm (age 55 of men), Cervical and for some people Lung Cancer. Attending these when invited is really worthwhile. Some of our patients like to supplement these with private wellness screening for monitoring and reassurance. Most importantly, regardless of when you last attended screening, never hesitate to see your doctor if you develop a new symptom of concern.

WGP: Are there any steps we can take specifically to slow or prevent cognitive decline?

Dr Catherine: Engaging in activities that challenge different brain pathways is important. Playing games, puzzles, reading or learning a new skill are all fantastic for maintaining brain elasticity.

Aiming for good quality sleep. Although sometimes a struggle as we age - maintaining good sleep hygiene and a consistent sleep/ wake schedule will give the body and mind time to repair. If you are struggling with your sleep, please make an appointment so that we can help.

Working to maintain social connections - friends, family, local community, work colleagues. Creating these connections not only creates a support network but can also promote longevity. There are more ways than ever to communicate these days - so time to socially explore!

WGP: How can we distinguish between standard forgetfulness and actual cognitive decline?

Dr Catherine: Forgetting the odd name or date is a common occurrence and can affect us all - especially when stressed or tired. Usually, these events are infrequent, temporary (we may be able to recall the fact when asked later) and do not interfere with life or put us in harm’s way.

If memory problems become progressive, persistent or start affecting daily life (especially safety) then it is best to see your doctor for a full evaluation. Many things can contribute to impaired memory, including deficiencies and medications, so a fully holistic assessment is needed.

WGP: I think it might be time to start considering getting extra care assistance for my elderly relative. What are the signs to look for that tell me the time is right?

Dr Catherine: This is such an important and sensitive topic, so exploring these issues gently with your relative and identifying any concerns or expectations they have will be key to making any life adjustments harmonious.

Events that may trigger the need for extra help could be:

Struggling to self-care: cook, wash or handle medication.
Issues regarding safety: memory problems, handling finances, ability to drive safely.
Communication difficulties (hearing or sight) or social isolation.

There are many excellent online resources to review the types of care available including here and here. But if ever you would like more one to one advice, please don't hesitate to book in for a supportive consultation with your doctor.

To book an appointment with Dr Catherine regarding frailty we recommend a 40 minute face to face consultation initially. Simply call reception to book on 01962 776010. Both of our locations in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford are fully accessible with on site free parking.