Gerontology Physiotherapy Level 1 – Learning outcomes
1. The Ageing Process
•
•
•
•
Outline the physical and psychosocial aspects of the ageing process.
Describe the effects of ageing on different body systems: musculoskeletal, cardio-vascular,
respiratory, sensory, and neurological
Describe the common clinical pathologies associated with advanced age
Demonstrate the various gait changes with ageing
2. Chronic Disease Management
•
Describe generic strategies for physiotherapy assessment and management for chronic diseases,
including:
o Motivational interviewing
o Cognitive behavioural therapy
o Goal setting
3. Continence
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide a general overview of continence assessment & screening, including the bladder chart
(excluding internal examination)
Differentiate between stress, urge and combined stress & urge incontinence
Describe basic management strategies for stress, urge and combined incontinence and constipation
in both male & female clients
Summarise the normal and abnormal changes to continence mechanisms in older people
Highlight when patients should be referred on to specialist continence physiotherapists or nurses
Summarise the effectiveness of management (medical, physical, btw) approaches to continence
issues in older people eg, post general surgical
Summarise a selection of continence aids
Outline the access to continence aids and available subsidies
4. Pharmacology and Pain Management
•
•
•
•
Describe how the effects of medications change as a person ages
Outline the pharmacology for chronic disease and pain management in the elderly (age >65 years)
Outline the side effects of common medications used in the elderly population
Provide examples of strategies used increase compliance with medication in the older population
5. Outcomes Measures
•
•
•
•
•
Review the concepts of reliability and validity
Describe various reliable and valid measurement tools to assess and monitor impairments, activity
limitations, and participation restrictions in older people, including:
o Gait (10m walk)
o Mobility (DEMMI, Sit To Stands, BEST)
o Balance (Tug, Berg, Step, Boomer)
o Endurance (6MWT)
Discuss how to choose and apply different outcome measurements
Discuss the interpretation and integration of the results of various outcome measures in treatment
planning
Facilitate the practice of selected key outcome measures
6. Falls and Balance
•
•
•
•
•
Discuss the health economics of falls and related injury
Outline the intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to falls and related injury
Summarise the outcome measures used to indicate fall risk
Review different approaches:
o Behavioural approaches
o Differing needs in differing settings
o Dizziness / vestibular issues
Discuss strategies to increase compliance / adherence with falls prevention
7. Optimising Physical Function
•
•
•
•
Discuss evidence based strategies to optimise physical function and prevent functional decline in
older people, including:
o Strength training
o Aerobic training
o Functional capacity training
o Skill training
Facilitate participants’ practice of the above strategies
Outline examples of successful exercise programs
Summarise strategies to increase compliance and self-management
8. Continuum of care
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Summarise the international views on the ageing population
Outline the demographic profile of the Australian ageing population
Outline the funding of health services for older Australians
Outline the continuum of care for the elderly: community services, linkage model, transitional care,
hospital in the home, residential care
Provide industry examples in this continuum of care, e.g. Blue Care
Summarise the challenges in providing this continuum of care
Outline the trends and implications of an ageing workforce
Discuss opportunities in the ageing population and the future of gerontology
Provide an example of an older person progressing through the continuum of care from acute to
community
9. D3 -Delirium, Dementia and Depression
•
•
•
•
•
Differentiate between delirium, dementia and depression
Summarise the age related changes and common pathological processes affecting communication in
older adults
Outline the implications of cognitive impairment and communication difficulties on the physical and
social wellbeing of an older person
Discuss how the results of cognitive assessment tools, communication difficulties and a carer’s level
of understanding relate to a patient’s level of function
Discuss strategies for physiotherapy assessments and management of patients with cognitive
impairments