513-404 Gerontology

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

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; the heterogeneity of the elderly population; multiple pathologies; multidisciplinary management teams; evaluation of physiotherapy management emphasising assessment and outcome measures; and 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 are fostered. Clinical experience may include geriatric evaluation and management, residential care program, aged care assessment team visits, rehabilitation: orthopaedic/neurological/amputees, community rehabilitation service, home rehabilitation and post acute care follow up (PACFU). Students attend relevant multidisciplinary case conferences. Visits are organised to representative examples of residential care including private nursing homes, hostels and supported residential services. The Seminar Day tutorials may include normal ageing, balance and postural control, gait in the elderly, amputees, dementia, continence, aged care services, as well as future directions for rehabilitation and care of the elderly.

Assessment

Clinical Report (60%). Essay of 2000 words (25%). Case presentation (15%). Students must pass the clinical component of the assessment in order to pass the subject.