513-404 Gerontology

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Subject Description:

On completion of this subject students should comprehend the implications of an ageing population on health delivery and the community; changes occurring in normal ageing, pathologies associated with ageing; heterogeneity of the elderly population; multiple pathologies; multidisciplinary management teams; evaluation of physiotherapy management emphasising assessment and outcome measures; the need to identify advances in gerontology and relate these to practice. Skills are developed in physiotherapy management of elderly clients. Knowledge of the role of physiotherapists and other health team members in management, agencies delivering aged care services and sources of specialised equipment is developed. Integration of previous major theoretical and clinical units with the needs of elderly clients and the importance of rational, critical and independent thought is fostered. Clinical experience may include: acute assessment wards, Residential Care Program, Aged Care Assessment Team visits, Home Rehabilitation Service and day hospital. Students attend relevant multidisciplinary case conferences. Visits are organised to representative examples of residential care including private nursing homes, hostels and special accommodation homes. The tutorial program includes balance and postural control, gait in the elderly, dementia, incontinence, Aged Care Policy, service networks, pain in the elderly and amputees.

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