Health Network: Veteran Actor Liu Chao-ming Dies at 94, Nutritionist Shares Five Ways to Prevent Frailty

Liu Chao-ming, the Hong Kong actor who made the powerful and uncanny tree demon Granny in “A Chinese Ghost Story” one of the most memorable villains in Hong Kong cinema, has died at 94.

His death brought sorrow to relatives and friends, while his performance remained firmly in the memories of film fans. In his later years, Liu faced several illnesses and needed a wheelchair and domestic help when he went out. He turned down work and rarely appeared in public as his health declined.

Nutritionist Hsueh Hsiao-ching said people should not wait until old age to pay attention to frailty. She cited a large study published in GeroScience in August 2026 that followed nearly 184,000 middle-aged adults for almost 14 years. Although the participants had no known chronic illnesses when the study began, 34.7% were already in a pre-frail condition. That amounts to roughly one in three apparently healthy middle-aged adults showing at least one sign of declining physical ability.

The changes can be easy to dismiss as simply getting older. Carrying two bags may become harder, walking speed may slow, weight may fall without an intentional diet, and everyday activities such as climbing stairs, doing housework, exercising, or going out may gradually become less frequent.

Hsueh recommends including protein such as eggs, unsweetened soy milk, fish, chicken, tofu, dried tofu, or lean meat in all three meals. People trying to lose weight should monitor strength and mobility as well as the number on the scale. She advises against completely eliminating rice, noodles, or sweet potatoes, suggesting suitable portions of whole grains alongside protein, vegetables, and fruit. Walking or running should be combined with exercises such as chair stands, bodyweight squats, resistance-band work, or appropriate weight training. Once a month, people should check their grip, lifting ability, walking speed, stair climbing, and activity levels, and seek professional assessment if several changes persist.