New research from Flinders University shows that frailty in older Australians is imposing a severe financial strain on the healthcare system.
The study, published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International, highlights that frailty leads to higher healthcare costs due to increased service usage, frequent hospital admissions, and extended recovery periods. Data from the Registry of Senior Australians revealed that over three years, healthcare costs for frail individuals were $1.28 billion, compared to $885 million for non-frail peers, adding an annual excess of $130.8 million to government expenditures.
The study, led by Barbara Toson and Professor Jon Karnon, highlights the critical need for early screening, targeted health interventions, and frailty prevention programs to curb escalating costs. Frail individuals were found to be significantly more likely to die or enter permanent residential aged care than their non-frail counterparts, further burdening the system. The research highlights the need for increased investment in programs that prevent frailty, like physical exercise, nutrition, and multidisciplinary care services, which are not yet standard practice.
Professor Karnon emphasises that without proactive measures, the healthcare system risks being overwhelmed by preventable costs. Current assessments of frailty in Australia are conducted only during comprehensive aged care assessments, which limits early identification and management. As Australia’s population ages, with frailty rates expected to rise from 11 per cent in 2016 to 16 per cent by 2027, the study calls for a reevaluation of healthcare policies to better support the needs of older Australians. Early intervention could improve the quality of life for older adults while reducing financial pressures on the healthcare system.
The paper ‘Economic burden of frailty in older adults accessing community-based aged care services in Australia’ by Barbara Toson, Laura Catherine Edney, Hossein Haji Ali Afzali, Renuka Visvanathan, Jyoti Khadka and Jonathan Karnon is published in the journal Geriatrics & Gerontology International. DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14955. The study was funded by the Flinders Foundation through a Health Seed Grant.
