This document defines geriatric settings like extended care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities. It explores common patient diagnoses like orthopedic issues, depression fractures, pneumonia, and COPD. Treatments discussed include hot/cold packs, therapeutic exercises, and equipment like NuStep, stairs, and parallel bars. Statistics provided include that 16.2% of PTAs work in geriatric settings, with a median income of $50,000 per year. Additional training through APTA for geriatrics is recommended.

1. Geriatrics
LTC-SNF
Practice Setting Presentation
Michelle Turbak
November 2009
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2. Objectives:
 Define geriatric settings
 Explore patients, diagnoses, and
treatments seen in geriatric settings
 Career statistics and training needed
to work in geriatric settings
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3. Geriatric Settings
 ECF- Extended Care Facility
 SNF- Skilled Nursing Facility
 ICF- Intermediate Care Facility
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4. Typical Diagnoses Treated in
a Geriatric Setting
Common Primary Diagnoses
-orthopedic issues
-hip/knee replacement
-depression fractures
-pneumonia
-COPD
-Parkinson’s
-post surgical anemia
-nutritional issues
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5. Diagnoses Continued
Common diagnoses used to indicate
need for physical therapy
-muscular weakness
-decreased functional mobility
-ataxia
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6. Types of Patients in Geriatric
Settings
Age 65 or older
Possible arthritis, or osteopathic
concerns
Typically higher risk for falls due to
impaired gait and polypharmacy
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7. Common Treatments
Hot or cold packs
-decrease pain, swelling
-increase circulation
Therapeutic Exercises
-increase strength in trunk, lower
extremities, etc.
-improve endurance, balance, range of
motion
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8. Equipment Used
NuStep
Stairs
Parallel bars
Medicine balls
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9. PTA Statistics
Percentage of PTAs working in
Geriatric settings:
16.2%
Median income for PTAs in Geriatric
settings:
$50,000 per year
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10. Additional Skills for Working
in Geriatric Settings
To be successful in the geriatric
environment, you must be aware of
the special needs of your patients.
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11. Advance Training or
Recognition
APTA offers Recognition of Advanced
Proficiency for the Physical Therapist
Assistant in Geriatrics
APTA also has a section dedicated to
Geriatrics
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12. References
 www.apta.org
 www.geriatricspt.org
 Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009,
Elsevier.
 wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Images
http://www.nustep.com/
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