Restrictions, impediments and requirements in physiotherapy of the elderly

Krzysztof Gieremek, Janusz Nowotny, Tadeusz Szymon Gaździk, Wojciech Cieśla

Krzysztof Gieremek, Janusz Nowotny, Tadeusz Szymon Gaździk, Wojciech Cieśla – Restrictions, impediments and requirements in physiotherapy of the elderly. Fizjoterapia Polska 2007; 7(2), 198-205

Abstract

Aging is an inevitable and dynamic process that leads to a number of adverse changes in both the locomotor system and internal organs as well as the weakening of the body’s regenerative and compensatory abilities. The full recovery of mobility following an illness or dysfunction is difficult and sometimes impossible, affecting the quality of life of the elderly patient. Concomitant psychological problems related to the elderly patient’s attitude to their illness and their expectations about those around them require a modified approach to many aspects of rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, of the elderly. This article describes the tasks that should be addressed in preventative physiotherapy and treatment modalities used in socalled main therapy and secondary prevention of geriatric patients. Emphasis is placed on the principles of planning customised active exercise sessions with particular regard to functional status assessment in individual patients. Besides examples of forms of physical activity and exercise devices for geriatric patients, the article provides comments and descriptions of the most common problems related to selected physiotherapy procedures for the elderly.

Key words:

geriatrics, determinants of physiotherapy, physiotherapy of elderly, kinesitherapy

Invalid download ID. Pobierz bezpłatnie artykuł w j. angielskim