Taxonomy of aging

Group	Characteristics
Primary	No functional dependence; negligible comorbidity
Intermediate	Dependence in one or more IADLs; stable comorbidity (eg, stable angina, chronic renal insufficiency, etc)
Secondary or frail	One of the following criteria:
	(i) Dependence in one or more ADLS;
	(ii) Three or more comorbid conditions or one poorly controlled comorbid condition;
	(iii) One or more geriatric syndromes (delirium, dementia, depression, falls, incontinence, spontaneous bone fractures, neglect or abuse, failure to thrive)
Near death

Taxonomy_of_aging.htm

ADLs: activities of daily living; IADLs: instrumental activities of daily living.

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