Maximizing therapist effectiveness with geriatric hand patients.
The "graying of America" is resulting in higher proportions of older persons utilizing the health care system. Current trends indicate that the geriatric population represents a growing portion of the hand therapy patient population. Appreciating the unique needs of the geriatric hand patient and developing an appropriate treatment program require special interventions that may seem unappealing due to the likelihood of prolonged initial treatment time. However, such steps can strongly enhance therapist effectiveness, patient compliance, and ultimate outcome. The purposes of this paper are: (1) to address frustrations that may be encountered in the treatment of some elderly hand patients; (2) to introduce the reader to the phenomenon of age bias; (3) to present a well-accepted and effective assessment tool of memory, orientation, and ability to follow commands as these competencies pertain to hand therapy; (4) to address concepts in the gerontology literature that can be applied clinically as treatment guidelines to boost treatment effectiveness; and, finally, (5) to suggest communication techniques to use with the elderly hand patient. Maximizing therapist effectiveness with geriatric hand patients will serve to reinforce the dignity and value of this unique population.
Cooper
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University of Southern California, Department of Occupational Therapy, Los Angeles, California 90033.
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011581:Psychological Tests