ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at what frailty actually is, and how its identity is rather ambiguous when considering whether it is a description of health or illness. It reviews method for its measurement, and considers how a more holistic view of frailty necessitates a consideration of health and community assets and capabilities, as well as deficits. J. Foot and T. Hopkins have argued that community assets can achieve a number of goals, including providing new ways of challenging health inequalities; valuing resilience; strengthening community networks and recognising local expertise. Frailty is a complex and multidimensional state linked to other concepts including multimorbidity, disability, dependency and personal resilience. Multimorbidity is frequently complicated by an acute event that may lead to acute hospitalisation. Health and social care professionals have ways of assessing frailty which can help in planning appropriate care and support. The development of the concept of health assets, particularly within a public health arena, has been influenced by salutogenesis.
