Physiotherapy for the elderly

Structure Type: Course
Code: KG10BP26
Type: Compulsory
Level: Bachelor
Credits: 15.0 points
Responsible Teacher: Kiili, Riitta
Teacher Team: Mäntykivi, Pirkko ; Haapala, Pia ; Finne, Merja ; Koivisto, Marjut
Language of Instruction: Finnish

Course Implementations, Planned Year of Study and Semester

Curriculum  Semester  Credits  Start of Semester  End of Semester
FYSTER-2013   3 autumn   15.0   2015-08-01   2015-12-31  

Learning Outcomes

The students will:
- know and recognize age-related physical, mental and social changes
- identify health promoting and jeopardizing factors related to aging client's life situation
- know the effects of neurological diseases on aging client's functional capacity
- understand how exercise affects the aging person's organism
- understand common disorders, traumas and diseases in aged person's bodily systems and know about the effects of the respective medication
-recognize how pain affects the aging person's functional capacity and take into consideration pain in physiotherapy
- apply a variety of examination methods to assess aging people's functional capacity and independent coping
- learn to draw concusions based on the assessment of the aging person's functional capacity
- know how to appropriately plan and implement physiotherapy methods for aging clients
-learn to apply various forms of exercise in practical guidance situations to meet the needs of aging clients
- advise aging clients on the choice, availability and use of assistive aids
-learn to contribute to the work of multi-professional rehabilitation teams as experts of their own field
- learn to pay attention to universal accessibility when planning environments and apply ergonomics to meet human needs
- learn to apply welfare technology when counselling aged clients and their families
- learn to apply a qualitative research approach

Student's Workload

Will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses

No previous studies are required.

Contents

- Physical, mental and social changes in aging
- Impairment of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, sensory and neuromuscular systems and the respective effects on the aging people's functional capacity
- Impact of neurological disorders on aging people's functional capacity
- Health promotion and aging
- Exercise for aging clients
- Training aging clients' motor skills with focus on the sensory channels
- Paying attention to the effects of medication in physiotherapy
- Assessment methods for aging clients' functional capacity and independent coping
- Physiotherapy in the alleviation of pain and promotion of function
- Assistive aids for aging people
- Assessing free accessibility of the environment
- Qualitative research
- R & D activity
- International expert lecture and practical exercises

Recommended or Required Reading

Students will receive a reading list.

Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Exercises
- Independent study
- Seminars
- R&D activities
- Online learning

Assessment Criteria

Excellent
Students are able to extensively assess physical, psychological and social changes brought on by ageing and analyse factors in the client's life situation that promote health and prevent illness. Students apply knowledge learnt earlier on the effect of sensory disorders and illnesses on people's ability to function. Students seek wide-ranging solutions when planning, implementing and evaluating the physiotherapy process for ageing clients or neurological patients. They apply individual solutions in physiotherapy situations. Students are able to counsel clients on how to choose, acquire and use assistive aids. They can choose and give reasons for their choices regarding the planning of universal access environments and they know how to apply welfare technology when counselling aged clients and their families. When necessary, students know how to use project work as a tool. They can explain their professional action by evidence-based research. Students are also able to work as experts of their own field in rehabilitation teams.

Good
Students can to some extent assess physical, psychological and social changes brought on by ageing and recognise factors in the client's life situation that promote health and prevent illness. Students are aware of how sensory disorders and illnesses affect people's ability to function. Students seek various solutions when planning, implementing and evaluating the physiotherapy process for ageing clients or neurological patients. They apply wide-ranging solutions in physiotherapy situations. Students know assistive aids and are able to counsel clients on how to choose, acquire and use them. They pay attention to universal access in planning environments for ageing people and they apply welfare technology when counselling aged clients and their families. Students are aware of the role of project work and of the usefulness of research knowledge to physiotherapy. Students are also able to work in rehabilitation teams in their own field.

Satisfactory:
Students can to some extent recognise physical, psychological and social changes brought on by ageing as well as factors in the client's life situation that promote health and prevent illness. Students are to a limited degree aware of how sensory disorders and illnesses affect people's ability to function. Students need some assistance and support when planning, implementing and evaluating the physiotherapy process for ageing clients or neurological patients. They apply mechanical solutions in physiotherapy situations. Students know some assistive aids but require help regarding the choice, acquistion and use of the aids. They pay some attention to universal access in planning environments for ageing people and they apply welfare technology to a limited degree when counselling aged clients and their families. Students are partly aware of the role of project work and of the usefulness of research knowledge to physiotherapy. Under supervision, students are able to work in rehabilitation teams in their own field.

Assessment Methods

- Written exams
- Seminar work
- R&D activities

Further Information

Courses: Physiotherapy 7 cr, Planning the environment 2 cr, Assistive aids and equipment 0.5 cr, Neurology 1.5 cr, Gerontology and geriatrics 1.5 cr, Applied physical exercise 1.5 cr, Basics of research methods 1 cr.

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