22034 - GERIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Marc Terradellas Fernández

Trimester: Third term

Credits: 4

• Spanish
• Catalan
• English

Classes will be taught in Catalan and Spanish.

Some articles and/or bibliographical references may be in English. 

The subject of Geriatric Physiotherapy is part of the compulsory training of the Degree in Physiotherapy of the subject Physiotherapy in Clinical Specialties. This subject aims to bring the students closer to the issues related to the health of the elderly, in order to obtain the knowledge and skills for a comprehensive approach to the care of aging.

The main objective of the subject is to acquire the basic and specific knowledge to attend to, evaluate and treat from the field of Physiotherapy, the different acute and chronic pathologies associated with the aging process, as well as to know the different clinical manifestations and syndromes geriatrics of this stage of life. Students will have to understand and treat the different problems related to the health of older people with the aim of preventing and treating disability, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and achieving the global challenge of active aging of the population.

The theoretical and practical content of the subject aims to provide an insight based on the guidelines of good clinical practice and based on the current published scientific evidence.

This subject aims to introduce the gender perspective in its content and development. In addition, the objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations.

THEORY IN GERIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY

• Introduction to Geriatrics and Gerontology. The physiological and pathological aging process.
• Geriatric syndromes from a medical, physical and functional point of view.
• Comprehensive geriatric assessment.
• Physical activity and exercise in elderly people with chronic diseases.
• Comprehensive attention focused on the person. Contentions
• Gender perspective in geriatric homes.
• Physiotherapy in palliative care and care at the end of life.
• Home rehabilitation for the elderly.

PRACTICE IN GERIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY

• Introduction to the method of supporting people and postural changes.
• Transfers and mobilizations of the elderly with different levels of dependency. Technical aids for the mobilization of patients.
• Physical and functional assessment scales for the elderly.
• Prevention and treatment of falls in the elderly.
• Review of recent literature in Geriatric Physiotherapy.
• Bandage for circulatory and vascular disorders in the elderly.
• Re-education and support for gait disorders in the elderly. Technical aids for autonomous travel.
• Physical activity and group dynamics of physical exercise for the elderly.

This subject may consider the following indicators detailed in the table in its assessment proposal: 

A system of quantitative (from 0 to 10) and qualitative (suspended, approved, notable, excellent, honorary registration) is used according to RD 1125/2003.  

The final mark of the subject is the result of the sum of the percentages of all the grades obtained during the subject. 

The different evaluable parts of the practices and continuous evaluation will be weighted average for the final percentage of the corresponding grade. To pass the subject, it is necessary to obtain a grade equal to or higher than 5 in all the sections that are evaluated. In the case of continuous assessment activities (if any) where the student does not show up, there will be a "0" in that section, and the rest of the continuous assessment activities can be averaged.

In the case of suspension during the Ordinary Call, the grades obtained in the continuous assessment will be kept with the same weighting for the Recovery Call as part of the final grade of the subject (both passed and failed) to preserve the criteria of the continuous evaluation.

In order to pass the subject, a mandatory minimum of 80% of the practical classes will be required. In the case of not complying with the mandatory percentage of the practices, it will be considered as a "not presented". According to current regulations, you can only opt for recovery if the subject has been suspended. If the grade is "not presented", you will not be able to opt for recovery and therefore the subject will have to be taken again in its entirety in the following academic year.

The evaluation system and recovery period are detailed in the Learning Plan available in the virtual classroom at the beginning of the subject.

La full or partial copy in any of the learning activities will mean a "not presented" in the subject, therefore a suspension from the subject without the option to take the recovery test and without prejudice to the opening of a file for this reason.

Handbook of good practice in the care of the elderly. Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology.

Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, et al. Frailty in Older Adults: Evidence for a Phenotype. Journals Gerontol Ser A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(3):M146–57. Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsch C, Gottdiener J, et al. Frailty in Older Adults: Evidence for a Phenotype. Journals Gerontol Ser A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(3):M146–57.

Practical handbook of postural changes. Benilde Martínez and Carme Macià. College of Physiotherapists of Catalonia. Physiotherapy Commission in Geriatrics.

Carbonell Baeza A, García-Molina VA, Fernández MD. Involvement of fitness due to aging. Apunt Med l'Esport. 2009; 44 (162): 98–103.

Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Aging. 2019;48(1):16–31

Pérez Bazán LM, Enfedaque-Montes MB, Cesari M, Soto-Bagaria L, Gual N, Burbano MP, et al. A Community Program of Integrated Care for Frail Older Adults: +AGIL Barcelona. J Nutr Health Aging 2020;23(8):710-6.

Grund S, Gordon AL, Van Balen R, Bachmann S, Cherubini A, Landi F, et al. European consensus on core principles and future priorities for geriatric rehabilitation: consensus statement. Eur Geriatr Med. 2020; 11 (2): 233–8.

Dotte P. (1999 and 2001) Method of manual maintenance of patients. Volume I and II: generalities and specific gestural education and clinical applications. (5th ed.). Barcelona. Masson.

Pedersen BK, Saltin B. Exercise as medicine - evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015; 25: 1–72.

FM Lam, et al. Physical exercise improves strength, balance, mobility, and endurance in people with cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review, J. Physiother. 64 (2018) 4–15.

Carolyn Kisner and Lynn Allen Colby. (2005) Therapeutic exercise. Fundamentals and techniques. Editorial Padiotribo

SEGG Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (2017). Therapeutic Manual in Geriatrics (2nd ed.). Madrid: Panamericana.

Giné-Garriga M, Roqué-Fíguls M, Coll-Planas L, Sitjà-Rabert M, Salvà A. Physical exercise interventions for improving performance-based measures of physical function in community-dwelling, frail older adults: A systematic review and meta- analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014; 95 (4).

Casas Herrero A, Izquierdo M. Physical exercise as an effective intervention in the frail elderly. An Sist Sanit Navar 2012; 35 (1): 69-85.

Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Lancet. 2020; 396 (10248): 413–46.

Wicker P, Frick B. Intensity of physical activity and subjective well-being: An empirical analysis of the WHO recommendations. J Public Heal (United Kingdom). 2017; 39 (2): e19–26.