Frailty is a clinical syndrome that focuses on loss of reserve, energy and wellbeing. Older people with frailty tend to present late and often in crisis to health and care services so their care may be hospital-based, episodic and unplanned. Frailty should be reframed as a long-term condition that can be managed proactively in primary and community settings by supported self-management and person-centred care. Nurses play a vital role as key workers, care co-ordinators and supporters to patients and their carers at all stages of the frailty trajectory.