Aged care Physiotherapy. Are we doing it right?

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy, grade: -, , language: English, abstract: As per the latest census in 2016, there are more than 3.2 million Australians between 65-84 years of age. There are 487,000 people aged over 85 years of age. Over these years there have been tremendous growth in population and also a decrease in a number of deaths secondary to major conditions like cancer, COPD, CVD, etc. The Australian Bureau of statistics predicts the total number of Australians over the age of 65 years to increase more than 6 million by 2051. It is estimated that by 2051, around 3.5 million people in the older age group will be using aged care system.

Negative effects of aging include changes observed in muscle strength, joint cartilage, bone density and body fat, which leads to poor fitness, thereby causing further health implications such as dyspnea, hypertension, arthritis, circulatory issues, stroke, etc.. Another common health issue noticed in the aged population is the psychological disorders which affects cognition and orientation. Eg. Dementia, delirium.

Geriatric (Aged care) Physiotherapy was introduced as a specialty in Physiotherapy in 1989. Since then, Physiotherapists have worked together to find out and understand all the age related problems which could be treated through Physiotherapy. Physiotherapists play a major role as primary care practitioners in treating and managing the functional limitations in the older generation due to all the common conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, COPD, cancer and joint replacement surgeries. Physiotherapists check the suitability of particular modalities or interventions for the treatment of musculoskeletal, neurovascular and cardiopulmonary conditions. Their role is important in the rehabilitation after a fall, for injury prevention and also for functional incontinence.

Benefits of geriatric physiotherapy in improving mobility and balance, strength, increasing confidence in performing activities of daily living and enabling an active life for more years, is proven worldwide.