A multidimensional approach to frailty in older people

•Frailty is an important risk for adverse health outcomes in older adults. A definitive consensus regarding its definition was not yet reached.•A novel conceptual model of frailty emerged based on the loss of harmonic interaction between multiple domains.•The multidimensional aspects of frailty condition could be captured by the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and its derived Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI).•The MPI “plasticity” provides a single numerical prognostic index helpful in clinical decision making for the management of frail older adults.