What to know about sarcopenia in older adults

Sarcopenia involves changes in muscle strength, muscle quantity, and physical performance. Signs can include slower walking, difficulty rising from a chair, trouble climbing stairs, weaker grip, or increasing reliance on furniture and other supports.

Low activity, illness, inadequate food intake, and recovery after hospitalisation can add to muscle loss. A clinician may review medicines and nutrition, observe movement, test strength, and use body-composition or other assessments when useful. Similar difficulties can also come from joint, nerve, heart, or balance problems.

A supervised strengthening programme is usually built around safe, repeated movements such as sit-to-stand practice, step work, and resistance exercises. The starting level should reflect balance, pain, breathing, and current ability. Progress can be gradual, with attention to technique and recovery.

Regular meals with adequate protein and energy support muscle repair, but dietary changes should account for kidney disease, swallowing problems, diabetes, and appetite. A dietitian, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist can help turn goals into a safe home routine and reduce fall hazards.

Arrange assessment when weakness is new, worsening, or affecting bathing, transfers, walking, or meal preparation. Seek urgent care for sudden one-sided weakness, new speech trouble, chest pain, severe breathlessness, or a fall causing significant pain. Unplanned weight loss, persistent fatigue, or poor appetite also merits medical review.

Ask which tests could clarify the cause of weakness, what resistance exercises fit your health, whether nutrition review is needed, and how to monitor strength, walking, and fall risk.