[Physiotherapy for the elderly].
One of the main goals of physical therapeutic procedures in the elderly is the restoration or maintenance of functional autonomy in daily living activities. Whilst necessity for care and assistance in an aged population rises dramatically with age, physical therapy can efficiently reduce these needs. For an optimal therapeutic approach the therapists should take into account the particular characteristics of the ageing process as well as the predominant comorbidities, which should be correctly assessed in order to integrate those context factors into the rehabilitation program. This is only possible with a good functioning teamwork: The team should therefore include physicians, nurses, physiotherapists as well as social workers and other professionals. We describe here the theoretical basis of the particular aspects of physiotherapy for the elderly and we illustrate this approach exemplarily for falls prevention through resistance- and balance training.
Ongaro
G
G
Klinik für Geriatrie und Rehabilitation, Stadtspital Waid, Zürich. guido.ongaro@waid.stzh.ch oder geriatrie@waid.stzh.ch
Zwisler
C
C
Grob
D
D
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance; D013557:Switzerland