Physical Therapy in Geriatric

Conditions
 General Description

 Geriatric Conditions
– Focus is on maintaining patient’s
function/functional abilities and preventing loss
of function
 General Description

 Geriatric Conditions
– Prerequisite K/S/A:
• Extensive understanding of:
– Human Development
– Anatomy
– Biomechanics
– Pathokinesiology
– Physiology of aging
– Pathophysiology
– Exercise physiology
• Knowledgeable in application of a variety of
interventions
 General Description

 Pediatric Conditions
– Prerequisite K/S/A:
• Sound and evidence-based clinical decision-making
skills
• Effective communication skills
 Common Conditions

 Osteoarthritis
 Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Osteoporosis
 Hip fracture
 Diabetes
 Examination

 Screening
 Patient History (including Medical History)
 Systems Review
 Tests and Measures
 Evaluation

 Based on evaluation of findings from a

comprehensive examination, identify:
– Impairments
– Activity limitations
– Participation restrictions
 Diagnosis and Prognosis

 Diagnosis
– Based on identifying a pattern from the
identified problems in evaluation and
classifying to identified pattern(s)
 Diagnosis and Prognosis

 Prognosis
– Based on identified problems, develop goals to
address each problem
– Each goal should include:
• How to be measured if achieved
• Time frame to achieve
 Diagnosis and Prognosis

 Plan of Care
– Based on goals formulated
– Interventions are identified by Evidenced Based
Practice
 Interventions

 Approaches
– Procedural Interventions
– Patient/Client-Related Instruction
– Modification
– Environmental Modification and Adaptive
Equipment
– Teaching of Health Promotion, Wellness, and
Prevention
– Risk Reduction (including Safety Awareness
and Training)