Abstract

The important role of the physiotherapy in the treatment of elderly patients was recognized in the second part of the 21st century. Physiotherapy facilitates adaptation to the problems of the old age. Physiotherapeutic management includes the development of motor programmes which help elderly people to function normally and independently. Aging is a natural part of human life. Man’s role is to make it as comfortable as possible. Geriatric rehabilitation is concerned with treating elderly patients and keeping them fit, helping them to avoid some of the symptoms of chronic old age ailments. Nowadays age 65 is regarded as the beginning of old age. Some of the most characteristic features of this part of life are: difficulties in maintaining homoeostasis in the presence of stress stimuli, lower capability to carry out activities of daily living and reduced physical activity. In fact, elderly people are increasingly dependent on the help of others. Therefore there is a great need for preventative rehabilitation, whose purpose is to prepare for a physiological and healthy old age. This article describes problems connected with rehabilitation of the elderly. Currently employed physiotherapeutic and kinesitherapeutic methods are described together with state-of-the-art treatment options in physical therapy. The latter include magnetic field stimulation, which is remarkably useful in the treatment of depression, injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions and magneto-LED-therapy, a novel combination of fluctuating magnetic field and visible light irradiation possessing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects.

Key words:

geriatrics, physical medicine, elderly, rehabilitation