FRAILTY AND MORTALITY AMONG THE ELDERLY

Society's image of frailty in old age may be characterized as one of a poor, wizened, old woman, wasting away from neglect until her heart finally stops. This article seeks to develop a more scientific profile of the ''frail'' elderly by examining mortality records of those deaths listed under International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision code, E-904, distinguishing deaths due to neglect, lack of food or water, exposure, and privation, for the period from 1979 to 1985. Approximately 200 deaths for people over 60 years old were listed under this code annually. An analysis of the demographic and locational characteristics of these decedents yielded two distinct profiles. Hunger decedents were older, White, and female, fitting the frail elderly stereotype. Exposure decedents were younger, male, and more likely to be nonmetropolitan or minority elderly. Strategies to reach these two groups are discussed.