Geriatrics
INTRODUCTION OF GERIATRICS
Literally mean
“ the care of old person “
Geriatrics is the branch of general medicine that focuses on health promotion, prevention and
treatment of diseases and disabilities in latter life.
Gerontology
Study of all aspects of aging and its consequences
Aging
Process of growing old
Chronological age - number of years lived
Physiologic age - age by body function
Functional age - ability to contribute to society
GERIATRIC PEOPLE PROBLEMS
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Joint problems
Impairment of special senses
Cardio vascular disease
osteoporosis
Cancer, Diabetes&
Accidental falls
Psychological problems
Emotional problems
Suicidal tendency
dementia
Social problems
Poverty, Loneliness, Dependency, Isolation, Elder abuse
GERIATRIC TEAM
Geriatricians
Nurses
Physiotherapist
Social worker
geropsychiatric
Geriatric rehabilitation
In the year of 1989 geriatric physiotherapy was termed as a
specialty field of physical therapy .
Cover three area
Normal aging due to disuse and deconditioning
Cardiovascular problem and stroke
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
Normal physiological
changes with aging
Musculoskeletal system
Changes in Musculoskeletal system
Sarcopenia (↓ muscle mass & contractile force) occurs with age. Some of this muscle-wasting is
due to diminished growth hormone production, but exactly how much is due to aging versus
disuse is unclear.
Sarcopenia is associated with increased fatigue & risk of falling (so may compromise ADLs).
Sarcopenia affects all muscles including, for example, the respiratory muscles (↓ efficiency of
breathing) & GI tract (constipation).
Bone/Tendons/Ligaments
Gradual loss of bone mass (bone resorption > bone formation) starting around
age 30s.
Decreased water content in cartilage
the “wear-&-tear” theory regarding cartilage destruction & activity doesn’t hold
up as osteoarthritis is also frequently seen in sedentary elders.
Decreased water in the cartilage of the intervertebral discs results in a ↓ in
compressibility and flexibility. This may be one reason for loss of height.
There is also some decrease in water content of tendons & ligaments
contributing to ↓ mobility.
Nervous System
Neurological changes
There is neuronal loss in the brain throughout life (the amount & location
varies).
Loss is chiefly gray matter not white matter
there is some evidence that although some neuronal loss occurs with age,
many neurons have ↑ dendrite growth which may (at least partially)
compensate for neuronal loss in some areas of the brain.
Slowed neuronal transmission
Changes in sleep cycle: takes longer to fall asleep, total time spent sleeping is
less than their younger years, awakenings throughout the night, increase in
frequency of daytime naps
Sense of smell markedly decreases
The lens of the eye loses fluid and becomes less flexible, making it
more difficult to focus at the near range.
Dry eyes
Best wishes & Prayers
