Geriatric Physiotherapy Course

Lesson 1 • Ethical and Cultural Considerations

Addresses autonomy, informed consent, and culturally sensitive care in older populations. Prepares students to navigate ethical dilemmas common in geriatric settings.

Lesson 2 • Demographics and Epidemiology of Ageing

Covers global ageing trends, disease burden, and functional decline prevalence. Contextualises why specialised geriatric physiotherapy practice is clinically necessary.

Lesson 3 • Geriatric Syndromes Overview

Introduces frailty, sarcopenia, falls, delirium, and incontinence as interconnected syndromes. Links syndrome recognition to physiotherapy screening responsibilities.

Lesson 1 • Functional Mobility Assessment

Teaches standardised tools for measuring gait, balance, and transfer ability. Connects mobility scores to fall risk stratification and intervention priority.

Lesson 2 • Environmental and Social Assessment

Evaluates home hazards, social support, and caregiver capacity as determinants of rehabilitation outcomes. Integrates environmental data into discharge and safety planning.

Lesson 3 • Cognitive and Psychological Screening

Introduces validated cognitive and mood screening tools used by physiotherapists. Ensures assessment findings are interpreted within cognitive and emotional context.

Lesson 4 • Pain Assessment in Older Adults

Covers verbal and observational pain scales appropriate for cognitively intact and impaired patients. Accurate pain profiling directs safe exercise and manual therapy dosing.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Geriatric Exercise Physiology

Applies exercise physiology concepts to the ageing musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Establishes the scientific rationale for all subsequent prescription decisions.

Lesson 2 • Flexibility, Mobility, and Neuromotor Training

Addresses stretching, joint mobility, and neuromotor exercise as components of a complete programme. Reduces injury risk and supports activities of daily living performance.

Lesson 3 • Aerobic Exercise Prescription

Teaches intensity, frequency, and duration parameters for aerobic training in older adults. Addresses contraindications and safe progression across exercise tolerance levels.

Lesson 4 • Resistance and Functional Strength Training

Prescribes resistance training to counter sarcopenia and improve functional independence. Integrates functional movement patterns with traditional strengthening approaches.

Lesson 1 • Strength Training for Fall Prevention

Prescribes lower-extremity and core strengthening programmes grounded in fall prevention evidence. Addresses dosing, progression, and safety monitoring for frail older adults.

Lesson 2 • Community and Group Fall Prevention Programmes

Examines evidence-based group exercise programmes and community-level fall prevention models. Prepares students to lead and evaluate population-level interventions.

Lesson 3 • Fall Risk Factor Identification

Categorises intrinsic and extrinsic fall risk factors and their interaction. Provides the analytical foundation for targeted prevention strategies.

Lesson 4 • Post-Fall Assessment and Rehabilitation

Guides clinical response after a fall event, including injury screening and fear-of-falling management. Restores confidence and function to pre-fall or improved baseline.

Lesson 1 • Foot and Ankle Conditions Affecting Mobility

Covers plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and peripheral neuropathy as mobility-limiting foot conditions. Links foot health to fall risk and community ambulation capacity.

Lesson 2 • Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Rehabilitation

Addresses bone health assessment, fracture risk reduction, and post-fracture rehabilitation. Integrates safe loading principles with functional recovery goals.

Lesson 3 • Osteoarthritis Assessment and Management

Covers pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and physiotherapy management of osteoarthritis. Emphasises exercise, education, and load management as first-line treatments.

Lesson 4 • Spinal Conditions in Older Adults

Examines lumbar stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and vertebral compression fractures common in ageing spines. Applies conservative physiotherapy management with age-appropriate modifications.

Lesson 1 • Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults

Addresses the unique presentation and recovery trajectory of TBI in ageing brains. Applies cognitive-motor rehabilitation principles within a geriatric physiotherapy framework.

Lesson 2 • Peripheral Neuropathy and Vestibular Disorders

Examines sensory neuropathy and vestibular dysfunction as causes of imbalance and falls in older adults. Applies targeted sensory and vestibular rehabilitation techniques.

Lesson 3 • Stroke Rehabilitation Across the Continuum

Covers acute, subacute, and community-phase stroke physiotherapy with age-specific considerations. Applies neuroplasticity and task-specific training to functional recovery.

Lesson 4 • Dementia and Cognitive Impairment

Adapts physiotherapy assessment and intervention for patients with mild to severe cognitive impairment. Maintains physical function and quality of life through adapted communication and exercise.

Lesson 1 • Heart Failure and Deconditioning

Addresses physiotherapy management of heart failure-related deconditioning and reduced exercise tolerance. Applies safe progressive exercise within fluid and symptom management constraints.

Lesson 2 • Cardiac Rehabilitation for Older Adults

Applies cardiac rehabilitation principles with age-specific modifications for post-cardiac event recovery. Addresses risk stratification, exercise tolerance, and psychosocial barriers.

Lesson 3 • Respiratory Physiotherapy Techniques

Teaches manual and device-assisted airway clearance, breathing exercises, and ventilatory support techniques. Applicable across acute and chronic respiratory conditions in older adults.

Lesson 1 • Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

Defines physiotherapy's role within geriatric interdisciplinary teams and effective communication strategies. Improves patient outcomes through coordinated, role-clear team practice.

Lesson 2 • Evidence-Based Practice and Research Literacy

Develops skills to critically appraise geriatric physiotherapy research and translate findings into practice. Supports lifelong professional development through systematic evidence use.

Lesson 3 • Complex Case Management and Clinical Reasoning

Applies advanced clinical reasoning to patients with multiple comorbidities, competing priorities, and complex social contexts. Develops prioritisation and adaptive treatment planning skills.

Lesson 4 • Outcome Measurement and Quality Improvement

Selects and applies clinically meaningful outcome measures and uses data to drive service improvement. Embeds evidence-based practice and audit cycles into routine clinical work.