Frail Care cover
Assisting a loved one during the process of ageing and identifying the need for frail care services is very upsetting and can be overwhelming. Their deterioration is also sad to witness. Anglo Medical Scheme can assist you during this very difficult process and funds frail care services against a set criteria.
Understanding the difference between frailty and the normal ageing process
The definition of a clinically frail person (usually over the age of 75 years) is somebody afflicted with physical or mental disabilities that may interfere with the ability to independently perform activities of daily living and in need of 24-hour clinical care. Frailty is not really a disease but rather a combination of the natural ageing process and a variety of medical problems. It is something that most people who live to an advanced age will probably face.
The following symptoms may precede frailty:
- Unintentional weight loss
- General feeling of exhaustion
- Weakness
- Slow walking speed
- Low levels of physical activity
A frail person may also be physically well, but mentally frail, requiring constant nursing supervision. A mentally frail person could be showing signs of senile dementia (Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia or other forms of dementia) and, as such, may be confused, disoriented, agitated, restless and anxious.
What is considered the “normal” ageing process?
Many of the characteristics of frailty can apply to the ageing process, which makes the distinction very difficult. Clearly, human ageing is associated with a wide range of physiological changes that not only make us more susceptible to death, but limit our normal functions and render us more prone to a number of diseases. Some functions such as hearing and flexibility begin to deteriorate early in life as most of our body’s functional decline tends to begin after midlife.
Ageing is characterised by changes in appearance and decline in function such as:
- A gradual reduction in height and weight loss due to loss of muscle and bone mass
- Slower reaction time
- Decline in certain memory function
- Menopause in women
- Functional decline in hearing
- Decline in sense of smell
- Decline in vision
- Decline in organ function, i.e. high blood pressure
Does impairment of function during the normal ageing process qualify for frail care funding? No.
The Scheme would consider the following cases for frail care funding based on the clinical care and intervention necessary:
- A major stroke, leaving a patient bedridden and dependant on clinical care and intervention
- Advanced Alzheimer’s disease
- Motor Neuron disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- End-stage Emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease
- Advanced age with risk factors, not indicated above, requiring continuous nursing care.
Contact the call centre on 0860 222 633 and speak to a pre-authorisation agent to determine whether you or your loved one will qualify for frail care funding.