Physical

Therapy
Group 2
 PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical Therapy (PT) is care that aims to ease pain and help you function, move, and live better. People of all ages benefit
from physical therapy. It can treat a variety of health problems.

Role of PT in Gerontology:
It assessed the mobility and functional capacity of the elderly. Treatment include:
a. Rehabilitation
b. Strengthening
c. Mobility
d. Use of Assistive Devices

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a Physical Therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional
with experience in diagnosing physical abnormalities, restoring physical function and mobility, maintaining physical function, and
promoting physical activity and proper function.

A Physical Therapist must acoomplished a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) transitioning from MPT (Master of Physical Therapy).
Licensed physical therapists can be found in a range of healthcare settings including outpatient offices, private practices, hospitals, rehab
centers, nursing homes, home health, sports and fitness settings, schools, hospices, occupational settings, government agencies, and
research centers.
Table of
Contents!
4. Different Types Of
1. Overview Phsical Therapy For
Older Adults

2. Introduction
5. Thanks
3. What Makes A
Geriatric Physical 6. Resources
Therapist Unique?
 Introduction
THE IMPORTANCE OF GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY

As humans grow older, they’re susceptible to different aging-

related conditions. Think: arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s,
cancer, joint replacements (i.e, hip replacements), strokes,
decreased balance, even incontinence. Aging requires specialized
care, as seen with the existence of specialized doctors, care centers,
retirements, and more.

Geriatric Physical herapy is meant to cover: aging. It’s specifically

targeted to assist with mobility restoration, increased fitness and
exercise levels, pain reduction, and other additional benefits in the
elderly and aging.
“It will hurt. It will take time. It will
require dedication. it will require
willpower. You will need to make a
healthy decisions. It requires
sacrifices. You will need to push your
body to its max. There will be
Temptation. But, I promise you, when
you reach your goal, it’s WORTH IT.”

—Someone Famous
WHAT MAKES A
GERIATRIC ● While aging brings its associated
problems, aches, and pains, it also is a
PHYSICAL badge of honor showing experience and
THERAPIST wisdom.

UNIQUE? ● This type of physical therapist has to have

heightened patience and sympathy for
their patients’ conditions, due to the
nature of treating older adults. According
to the Academy of Geriatric Physical
Therapy, their unified mission and vision
is to “build a community that advances
the profession of physical therapy to
optimize the experience of aging”, while
also “embracing aging and empowering
adults to move, engage, and live well.”
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR
OLDER ADULTS
Geriatric physical therapy isn’t the only route to wellness for
aging adults. While this specialty tends to focus on the
treatment of conditions like those listed above with the goal of
restoring mobility and reducing pain, there are even more
specialized physical therapy options available.
Cardiopulmonar Orthopedic
y Physical Physical
Therapy Therapy
This is a unique and very specific focuses on damage and injuries of
emphasis for those who have the musculoskeletal variety, as well
experienced a heart attack or have as assisting with the recovery of
a history of any sort of orthopedic surgeries. Their end goal
cardiovascular or pulmonary is to restore musculoskeletal
condition. These physical functioning; for instance, in the
bones, joints, tendons, ligaments,
therapists work to improve and muscles. It’s primarily
endurance and promote functional restorative in nature, focusing on
independence amongst older healing and treatment rather than
adults. specifically preventative behaviors.
Neurological
Physical
Therapy
This specialty is devoted to the correlation
between the brain and the body, rather than
either/or. Those with neurological conditions
(think: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ALS,
Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease) or those
who have suffered any sort of head/brain
injury would be directed this way. These
physical therapists teach patients to adapt to
their conditions, to adapt to any sort of
decline in vision, mobility, balance, or
muscle, so that they can continue to
complete day-to-day activities.
Thanks!
CREDITS
: This pres
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as created
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infographic ns by Flaticon, and
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 Resources
VECTORS:
● American Physical Therapy Association:
Section on Geriatrics.
https://geriatricspt.org/
● Jones and Barlett Learning.
Gerontologic Nursing. Pgae 630 (Ch.
19)
● WebMd. https://www.webmd.com/pain-
management/what-is-physical-therapy
● Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti
cles/16064
● Kelly
Hawkins.https://www.kellyhawkins.co
m/2020/02/10/the-importance-of-
geriatric-physical-therapy/