Survey of the field Frailty has become a central concept in elderly research in recent years. A common definition is a state of decreased reserve resistance to stressors as a result of cumulative decline across multiple physiological systems, causing vulnerability to different outcomes, such as falls, hospitalization, institutionalization and mortality. The prevalence of frailty increases with age and frail older people are at risk of further deterioration if their needs are not acknowledged. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has given priority to the development and use of targeted needs assessment for the frail older people. Assessments that are both comprehensive and person-centred are required to achieve satisfactory and appropriate care to older people with complex needs.