Hamilton Health Sciences Home
January 31, 2020

GERAS study to prevent and treat frailty recruiting older adults

A new study led by scientists at the GERAS Centre for Aging Research at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University aims to determine how to best prevent and treat frailty in older adults. In partnership with the YMCA, the GERAS Frailty Rehabilitation study is recruiting adults aged 70 years or older to participate in the study who feel they have lost energy or strength.

What can we do to prevent and treat frailty?

Frailty is a medical condition of reduced function and health in older individuals. When frail, our bodies do not have the ability to cope with minor illnesses that would normally have minimal impact when healthy.

“Often patients or their family members will say they are slowing down or having difficulty walking the stairs, thinking it’s due to their age,” says Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, Hamilton Health Sciences geriatrician, McMaster University Professor of Medicine and Executive Director of GERAS Centre for Aging Research.

“Many factors contribute to frailty including inactivity, poor nutrition, social isolation or loneliness, and/or multiple medications. The good news is that there are many things we can do to prevent or reverse frailty and GERAS Frailty Rehabilitation aims to target each of these components.”

Creating healthy partnerships

This study is one of many important programs offered at the YMCA to provide high-quality programs in the community.

“Our organizations share a similar vision to create healthy communities in which individuals and families have opportunities to reach their full potential,” says Genevieve Hladysh, YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford Senior Regional Manager. “GERAS Frailty Rehabilitation will provide an important service for older adults who are frail to improve health outcomes,” says Hladysh.

The GERAS Frailty Rehabilitation study is the first of its kind in Canada and funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

What is the cost and who can participate? GERAS Frailty Rehabilitation is free for older adults (age 70+) who have not been seen by a geriatrician in the past 12 months and have lost energy or strength (e.g. difficulty climbing stairs or slow walking speed).

For more information or to register, please contact GERAS research staff at 905-521-2100 ext. 12232