Nurses’ Key Role in the Early Detection of Sarcopenia among Older People

Abstract

Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle strength and mass with age, is becoming more frequent among older people and is recognized as a risk factor for falls, disability, and mortality. Sarcopenia can be prevented, delayed, treated, and sometimes even reversed using effective interventions such as early detection. Available screening tools implemented by health professionals can contribute to the early recognition of people at risk for sarcopenia. In this review, we discuss the vital role of nurses, as gatekeepers to care, in the screening process of sarcopenia and the concept of screening as being a part of the professional nursing autonomous roles by presenting the existing evidence regarding the contribution of nurses in the screening interventions for sarcopenia.