Geriatric rehabilitation aims to promote health and treat diseases and disabilities in older adults. It involves a team-based approach including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists. The goals are to prevent impairments, maintain function, and help individuals live as independently as possible through their lifespan. Physical therapy for older adults requires special skills to address aging-related changes and optimize mobility and quality of life.

1. Introduction in the principle
of geriatric rehabilitation
BY DR/ KHALED ALSAYANI

2. Gerontology• This is the study of the aging
process itself. The study of physical and
psychological changes which are incident to the
old age is call gerontology.
Geriatrics • Geriatrics is the branch of internal
medicine that focuses on health care of the
elderly. It aims mainly to promote health and to
diagnosis , prevent and treat diseases and
disabilities in older adults.
Gerontology

3. AGING
 Aging can be defined as a progressive and generalized impairment
of function resulting in the loss of adaptive response to stress and
increased risk of age related diseases.
 The overall effect of these alterations is an increase in the probability
of declining health and dying.
 is the accumulation of Irreversible changes in a person over time.

4. Definition of elderly
 Most developed world countries ( include USA) have accepted the
chronological age of 65 years as a definition of 'elderly' or older person.
 there is no United Nations standard numerical criterion, but the UN agreed
cutoff is 60+ years to refer to the older population

5. Categories of old age definitions
Chronology
Change in social role how people should act as they grow
older (i.e. change in work patterns, adult status of children and
menopause).
Change in capabilities
(i.e. senility and change in physical characteristics).

6. Young old (60,65–75).
Old (75–85)
Old- old (85+)
Classification of elderly
PT. is aimed at
primary prevention
of diseases
PT is directed at the
improvement in function
status
PT is concentrated on
achievement of human
comfort(PM. Positioning )

7. Geriatric physical therapy
 An area of specialization that requires a specific set of advanced skills and
knowledge that addresses the aging process.
 Specialists in geriatric physical therapy understand the differences between
‘normal’ aging and pathological changes that commonly occur in the older adult.
 Assisting the geriatric client can be hard task because of multisystem
involvement and multiple comorbidities.
 Special considerations such as psychosocial issues, environmental, frailty,
nutritional, pharmacological and cultural factors must be accounted for in a
successful rehabilitation process.

8. Geriatric physical therapy role
 The primary goal of geriatric physical therapy is to prevent, maintain or
rehabilitate an impairment or functional limitation
 Assisting the individual to return to optimal living within their capabilities.
 To achieve the highest level of functional mobility as possible within their
environment while maintaining safety.
 Enabling the older adult to enjoy a longer life by living it more
independently and with less pain.

9.  combating and minimizing the accumulative disabling effects of
physical illness in association with the aging process.
 Providing education for the patient and caregivers.
 Contributing to the comfort and well-being of the patient.

10. Essential Competencies in the Care Elderly
Health
Promotion
and Safety
evaluation
and
assessment
Care Planning
and
Coordination
Across the
Care
Spectrum
(Including
End-of- Life
Care
Interdiscipli
nary and
Team Care
Caregiver
Support
Healthcare
Systems and
Benefits

11. Inpatient medical rehabilitation
(rehabilitation units in acute
care or rehabilitation hospitals,
long term care, nursing-home
rehabilitation)
Outpatient:
( primary care, private
practice, etc).
Home health rehabilitation.
Geriatric physical therapy settings

12. COMMON GERIATRIC DISORDERS PT Cases
Cardiovascular disorders:
hypertension, CHD, heart failure.
Respiratory disorders : asthma,
COPD
Neurological and cognitive
conditions: Stroke, Parkinson's
disease, dementia, delirium,
Alzheimer,depression, fear of
falling
Musculoskeletal: osteoporosis,
OA, RA, falls, fracture,
incontinence
Integumentary conditions: Pressure ulcers,
diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, herpes
zoster, malignant tumors

13. Indications for geriatric PT referral
 Recent fall or history of falls
 Deficits in strength or range of motion
 Loss of mobility or ambulation requiring an assistive device
 Musculoskeletal pain
 Difficulty with transfers
 Orthotic or prosthetic needs

14.  Open wound
 Neurological disorder1
 Balance deficits
 Decreased endurance for ADLs
 Bed bound status
 Need for adaptive equipment to enhance safety and function

15. Geriatric Rehabilitation team
 physicians
 Physiotherapists
 occupational therapists
 speech therapists
 Psychologists
 nurses,
 Nutritionists
 orthotics-prosthetics specialists
 Family members