GERONTOLOGY &

GERIATRICS
PHYSICAL
THERAPY
LECTURE # 01
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION OF GERIATRICS

Literally mean
“ the care of old person

Practically.

Gerontology Chronic
Study of aging . diseases
DEFINITION

Geriatrics is the branch of general medicine

concerned with clinical, preventive, medical
and social aspects of illness in the elderly

The study of the social, psychological

and biological aspects of aging is
called “Gerontology”.
Chronological age - number of years lived
Physiologic age - age by body function
Functional age - ability to contribute to society

The old age is defined as the age of

retirement.
In our country it is fixed at 60 years and
above and in USA it is 65 years..
GERIATRIC PEOPLE PROBLEMS

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
1.Joint problems
2.Impairment of special senses
3. Cardio vascular disease
4.osteoprosis
5.Cancer, Diabetes&
Accidental falls

Psychological problems
1. Emotional problems
2. Suicidal tendency
3. dementia

Social problems
Poverty, Loneliness, Dependency, Isolation, Elder abuse
GERIATRIC TEAM
Geriatricians
Nurses
Physiotherapist
Social worker
Geropsychiatrist
GERIATRIC
REHABILITATION
In the year of 1989 geriatric physiotherapy was termed as a
specialty field of physical therapy .
Cover three area
1. Normal aging due to disuse and deconditioning
2. Cardiovascular problem and stroke
3. Skeletal problem including osteoporosis and
osteoarthritis
ROLE AS A PHYSICAL
THERAPIST
 Increase restore or maintain ROM , physical strength ,
flexibility , coordination, balance and endurance
 Recommend adaptation to make the home accessible and safe
 Teach positioning , transfer and walking skill promote function
and independence
 Increase fitness through exercise program
 Prevent further decline in functional abilities through education
, joint protection , and use of assistive device
 Improve sensation , joint Proprioception
 Reduce pain
UNIT # 01- AGEISM
What is ageism?
Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel)
and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age

Aging and Biological theory of aging

ageism
Myths and Facts about Older Adults
Geriatric Training and Role of Physical Therapist
Effective communication
WHERE IS AGEISM SEEN?

Ageism is everywhere: from our institutions and relationships to

ourselves.
For example, ageism is in policies that support healthcare
rationing by age, practices that limit younger people’s
opportunities to contribute to decision-making in the workplace,
patronizing behavior used in interactions with older and younger
people, and in self-limiting behavior, which can stem from
internalized stereotypes about what a person of a given age can
be or do
UNIT # 02 -NORMAL PHYSICAL
CHANGES IN OLDER ADULTS
Breathing — the Respiratory System
Beating — the Cardiovascular System
Thinking and Reacting — the Nervous System
Moving — the Musculoskeletal System
Eating & Eliminating — the Gastrointestinal
and Urinary Systems
Metabolizing — the Endocrine System
Responding — the Sensory System
Sleeping and Other Physical Changes
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Lungs become more rigid

Number and size of alveoli decreases
 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Heart smaller and less elastic with age

By age 70 cardiac output reduced 70%
Heart valves become sclerotic(hardening)
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

Reduced GI secretions
Reduced GI motility
 RENAL SYSTEM

After 40 renal function decreases

Size and number of nephrons decrease
Bladder muscles weaken
UNIT # 03 -PSYCHOLOGICAL
CHANGES:

Delirium
(Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities. It results in
confused thinking and a lack of awareness of someone's
surroundings.)
Dementia
Depression
UNIT # 04 - OLDER ADULT
ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Scope of Older Adult Abuse and Neglect
 ELDER ABUSE

Abuse is the willful infliction of injury, pain, mental

anguish, punishment through physical, verbal,
emotional or sexual means.
UNIT # 05 - TRIAGE
AND ASSESSMENT

ABCs of Geriatric Assessment

What are the ABC's of triage?
The mnemonic “ABCDE” stands for Airway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. First, life-threatening
airway problems are assessed and treated; second, life-
threatening breathing problems are assessed and treated; and so
on.

Assessment Techniques and Atypical Presentations

PRINCIPLES OF
GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT
Goal promote wellness , independence
Focus function , performance
Scope physical , cognitive ,social domains
Efficiency use of rapid screen to identify target area
Success maintaining or improving quality of life
UNIT # 06 PROBLEM
AND PROCEDURE
Posture in older adult
Balance and fall in elderly
Lower extremity orthosis in geriatric rehabilitation
Conservative pain management for the older patient
chronic dermal wound in older adults
UNIT # 07 - EFFECTS
OF AGE
• Task Complexity,
• Exercise
• Ambulation. (rehabilitation of walking )
UNIT # 08
Parkinsonism
C.V.A
Urinary incontinence
UNIT # 09- PRE-OPERATIVE AND POST OPERATIVE
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR GERIATRICS IN
VARIOUS MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS:

Hip & Knee Joint replacements

Soft tissue injuries.
BOOKS
1-Geriatric Physical Therapy
by Andrew A. Guccione (Author)

2-Fundamentals of Geriatric Medicine 

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