Your browser does not support the NLM PubReader view.

Go to this page to see a list of supporting browsers.

Rehabilitation of the Geriatric Patients

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2005;48(1):34-38
Publication date (electronic) : 2005 February 17
doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.1.34
Mi Jung Kim, M.D.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine & Hospital, Korea. kimmjreh@hanyang.ac.kr

Abstract

Aging, an integral part of living, is typically accompanied by gradual but progressive physiologic changes and an increased susceptibility to various acute and chronic illnesses. The roles of geriatric rehabilitation should include, accordingly, not only the intervention to reverse disability caused by specific diseases or injuries, but also the contribution to preventive gerontology by virtue of promoting structured programs for physical fitness and early rehabilitation for common musculoskeletal disorders to avoid progression to disability. The demographic changes occurring in Korea transcend the capabilities of any specific medical specialty to provide optimum care for the elderly. Determination of an appropriate goal is critical to the success of rehabilitation program for the elderly and should be based on a careful assessment of current functional capacities and limitations of the patient. Physicians with various specialties can provide differing perspectives on their respective roles in geriatrics. Physiatrist can play a variety of roles related to geriatrics by comprehensive team approach. Contributions of rehabilitation to elderly patients include functional assessment (including the evaluation of underlying impairments contributing to disability) based on realistic goals, interdisciplinary team care, and efficacious adjustment of therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: Geriatrics; Geriatric rehabilitation; Aging; Rehabilitation

References

1. Hazzard WR. Preventive gerontology: Strategies for healthy aging. Postgrad Med 1983. 74279–287.
2. Steinberg FU. Commentary: principles of geriatric rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1989. 7067–68.
3. Hoenig H, Mayer-Oakes SA, Siebens H, Fink A, Brummel-Smith K, Rubenstein LV. Geriatric rehabilitation. What do physicians know about it and how should they use it? J Am Geriatr Soc 1994. 42341–345.
4. Kotte FJ. Deterioration of the bedfast patient: cause and effects. Public Health Rep 1965. 80437–450.
6. Christian CH, Schwartz RK, Barnes KJ. In : Delisa JA, ed. Self-care evaluation and managment. Rehabilitation medicine: principles and practice 1993. 2nd edth ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 178–200.
7. Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed "Up & Go": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 1991. 39142–148.
8. Berg KO, Maki BE, Williams JI, Holliday PJ, Wood-Dauphinee SL. Clinical and laboratory measures of postural balance in a elderly population. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1992. 731073–1080.
9. Tombaugh TN, McIntyre NJ. The mini-mental state examination: a comprehensive review. J Am Geriatr Soc 1992. 40922–935.
10. Yesavage JA, Brink TL, Rose TL, Lum O, Huang V, Leirer Vo, et al. Development and validation of a geriatric depression screening scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res 1982~3. 1737–49.
11. Engel G. The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. Am J Psychiatry 1980. 137535–544.
12. Clark GS, Bray GP. In : Williams TF, ed. Development of a rehabilitation plan. Rehabilitation in the aging 1984. New York: Raven; 125–143.
13. Broody EM. In : brody SJ, Ruff GE, eds. Informal support systems in the rehabilitation of the disabled eldery. Aging and rehabilitation: advances in the state of the art 1986. New York: Springer-Verlag; 87–103.
14. Hughes VA, Frontera WR, Wood M, Evans WJ, Dallal GE, Fiatarone Singh MA, et al. Longitudinal muscle strength changes in older adults: influence of muscle mass, physical activity, and health. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001. 56B209–B217.
15. Clark GS, Siebens HC. In : Delisa JA, ed. Geriatric rehabilitation. Rehabilitation medicine: principles and practice 2005. 4th edth ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1531–1557.

Article information Continued

Copyright © 2005 Korean Medical Association

Table 1

Table 1

Table 2

Table 2