Overview of Principles of Geriatrics Rehabilitation

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Original Editors - Tolulope ADENIJI

Top Contributors - Tolulope Adeniji, Lucinda hampton, Temitope Olowoyeye and Kim Jackson  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Ageing is characterized by decline in general physiologic function and this make chronic condition and multi-morbidity prevalent among older adults. This make recovery challenging that understanding principles of rehabilitation tailored to this population will facilitates delivery of effective therapeutic outcome to older adults.

Foundations of Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]

Rehabilitation principles can basically be discussed under 7 principles:

  • Total Patient
  • Individualization,
  • Intensity
  • Specific sequencing
  • Compliance
  • Timing
  • avoid aggravation

Geriatrics Rehabilitation Model[edit | edit source]

Geriatric rehabilitation models are embedded in those conceptual models for understanding disability. This will help to understand mechanisms of disability and how to achieve effective rehabilitation to improve or alleviate the disability defined. Among the notable models are International Classification of Function, Disability, and Health (ICF),and International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH-2) of the World Health Organization (WHO)[1]

Principles of Rehabilitation for Older adults[edit | edit source]

Considering the fundamental principle of rehabilitation, A scholars agreed that geriatric rehabilitation principles can be discuss under three major principles which are consideration of variation in older adults, maximizing activity and concept that optimal health is directly related to optimal functional ability. It is important to deal with an individual adult as a whole as variation in capacity of older adults of same age cadres greatly vary when compare to the variation noted within younger population cohort.[2]

Another concept is to optimize rehabilitation goal to improve older adults activity level. Activity optimization is is key in rehabilitation of older adults. This is because many of the changes over time are attributable to disuse among aged. Finally, it is a general notion that maintain optimal health functions in older adult with keep them at optimal functional ability. It is also important that in acute setting , principles of rehabilitation may be geared to first stabilizing the primary problems , preventing secondary complications like contractures and bedsores and finally to restore lost functions. [2]

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Principles of geriatric rehabilitation is essential in optimizing function that is essential as a fundamental of effective therapeutic outcome to older adults.

Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Hoenig H, Kortebein PM. Overview of geriatric rehabilitation: Program components and settings for rehabilitation. UpToDate, Waltham, MA. Accessed. 2019;3(24):20.
  2. 2.0 2.1 da Silva MM, Curty BI, Duarte SD, Zepeda KG. Nursing safety management in onco-hematology pediatric wards. Rev Rene. 2014 Nov;15(6).