Clinical Frailty Scale

The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), developed by Kenneth Rockwood and colleagues in 2005, is a brief, validated tool for assessing frailty in older adults. Frailty—a syndrome of diminished physiologic reserve, increased vulnerability, and reduced functional ability—is recognized as a distinct clinical state that predicts mortality, disability, and healthcare utilization independent of age and comorbidities. The CFS uses a seven-point (or nine-point in later versions) clinical judgment-based scale, making it practical and rapid for bedside use in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.