Physiotherapy of the elderly and chronicaly ill patients
 
Module: Physiotherapy
ECTS: 6
Contact hours – lectures: 40
Contact hours – seminar:  
Contact hours – clinical exercises:  
Contact hours – clinical practice: 50
Holder of subject: Dr Lea Žmuc Veranič, Lecturer
Year of study: First
 
Physiotherapy of the elderly and chronicaly ill patients              

Contact hours – lectures: 40
Contact hours – seminar:  
Contact hours – clinical exercises:  
Contact hours – clinical practice: 50
Holder of subject: Dr Lea Žmuc Veranič, Lecturer
Education providers:
  • Dr Lea Žmuc Veranič, Lecturer
  • Blanka Koščak Tivadar, Senior Lecturer
Level of study: First Bologna cycle professional education study program
Semester: Winter
Language: Slovene/English
 
Subject-specific competences:
  • Basic characteristics of an aging population: Demography, Mortality, and Morbidity;
  • The physiology of age-related and lifestyle-related decline;
  • Geriatric pharmacology;
  • Context of examination and interventions in sensory and cognitive  impairment with elderly, evaluation regarding comorbidity;
  • Management of special diseases according to organic systems with special attention to physiotherapy: cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and endocrinology;
  • Special problems and physiotherapeutic interventions: urinary continence in women and men, conservative pain management for the older adult, vestibular physiotherapy, patient management in post acute inpatient settings, falls prevention, rehabilitation of the elderly, hospice and end of life.

Objectives and competences:
Can identify and explain the particularities of the elderly and based on the interpretation can make a logical treatment physiotherapy plan, to implement it and assess the impact. 
 
Knowledge and understanding:
  • Understanding the difference among elderly and younger population.
  • Understanding evaluation, diagnosis and plan of action regarding the age specificity and management of specific diseases and organic systems.
  • Understanding specific age related problems due to comorbidity and different physiotherapeutic approaches in order of improvement.
  • Knowledge of the role of physiotherapists in the process of rehabilitation.
Mandatory references:
  • Guccione, A., Wong, R. & Avers, D., 2012. Geriatric Physical Therapy. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier: Mosby.
  • Fillit, H.M., Rockwood, K. & Young, J., 2016. Brocklehurst's Textbook of geriatric medicine and gerontology. 8. izd. S.l.: s.n.
Recommended references:  
Study obligations: 50% obligatory attendance at lectures
100% obligatory attendance at seminars
submitted and presented seminar work
Assessment methods:
Practical Examination (50%)
Written examination (50%)