Prof.  Tim Xu  Tianma
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT),  Singapore

Title: Frailty in Older Adults: Risks, Management, and Cultural Adaptation

Abstract:

Frailty affects approximately 3.5%-27% of community-dwelling older adults in the Asia-Pacific region, significantly increasing the risk of falls and negatively impacting physical, psychosocial functions, and community participation. These effects lead to a rising burden of care on families and society. While extensive research in well-developed countries has informed the development of regional and international clinical guidelines, the complexity of frailty demands ongoing exploration.

This session will provide an overview of frailty, focusing on common risk factors of falls and frailty, and the standardized outcome measures used in research and clinical practice. Attendees will gain insight into the latest evidence-based frailty management programs, including a recently developed multicomponent program with demonstrated positive effects on health outcomes and fall reduction. The session will conclude by exploring the potential adaptation of these programs for diverse cultural contexts, offering a path toward more inclusive and effective implementation in the future.

Biography:

Dr. Tim Xu is an esteemed Occupational Therapy Associate Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and holds a PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Sydney, Australia. He has over 24 years of experience working with older adults and the stroke population in Singapore and Australia. Dr. Xu is a pioneer faculty member in developing the 4-year occupational therapy degree program at SIT. He is an active researcher in aged care and community stroke rehabilitation, with a focus on fall prevention and frailty management. His “Say No To Frailty” program has been listed in the National Frailty Strategy Policy Report published by the Singapore Ministry of Health and is currently being implemented in many Active Aging Centres in Singapore. Dr. Xu is also involved in several professional roles, including serving as an SIT Institutional Review Board member, an editorial board member in several scientific journals, a Community Rehabilitation Transformation Workgroup member at the Singapore Ministry of Health, Singapore Gerontological Society Council Member and an expert member of the Building Construction Authority, Singapore.