This programme covers three dimensions geriatrics physiotherapy, community physiotherapy and palliative care physiotherapy. Geriatric physiotherapy covers a wide area of problems concerning the elderly. There are many conditions that affect older people not limited to arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders incontinence. This is a specialization in providing physiotherapy enabling older people to use a number of the body’s systems fully to enhance mobility and independence helping them to be comfortable and pain free. These geriatric problems can be addressed by reconditioning through range-of-motion exercises and other exercises. Exercise, aqua therapy, electrical stimulation, and more can be used.
Community physiotherapy is physiotherapy treatment offered in the community either in a patient’s home, aged care facility or workplace. Physiotherapists will make home visits to offer care instead of patient coming into a clinic to receive that care providing moral support to the patient.
Palliative care is a practice discipline, which involves progressive and life-limiting illnesses. Providing pain relief and management of distressing and debilitating symptoms, palliative care improves quality of life for patients with a life-limiting illness, and their families. Helping integrate the psychological, social and spiritual aspects of holistic care, palliative care manages patients’ symptoms and pain levels, providing relief from distress and ultimately, facilitating improved function. Its scope has recently broadened and the concept of ‘rehabilitation’ in palliative care is becoming more widespread.