In aging and infirm patients, weight loss, poor nutrition, poor appetite, and lack of exercise contribute to increased frailty. Causes may be neuropsychiatric disorder, illness, muscular weakness, and adverse effect of medications.

Elderly and infirm adults may face malnutrition, severe dehydration, and organ damage.

If untreated, prognosis may be poor. Management involves identifying and treating the underlying causes, and symptomatic interventions. For the elderly, discussion with patient and family about normal aging and approaching natural death will inform treatment decisions.