Medical expert of the article
New publications
Rehabilitation of the elderly
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Rehabilitation of the elderly has several types:
- medical - restoration of lost functions of organs and systems;
- psychological - the restoration of adequate (proportionate) patient response to changes in the external and internal environment;
- social - restoration of the capacity for independent (self-service) and worthy existence of the patient in society;
- labor - the restoration of a person's ability to work in general and professional in particular.
For people of elderly and senile age, the minimal task of rehabilitation is the restoration of the ability to self-service, which makes it possible to feel independent, and the maximum - to restore work capacity.
Rehabilitation of elderly people has several objectives:
- reactivation - increasing the motor and cognitive activity of the patient;
- re-socialization - providing the elderly with equal social opportunities;
- reintegration - the adaptation of the geriatric patient to life in a microsocial environment.
Rehabilitation of elderly people is carried out in the following areas:
- medical - medical care;
- gerontopogichesky care - the decision of the general physiological and psychological problems of the patient;
- social - the provision of social assistance;
- educational - informing society about the features of the aging organism, the opportunities and needs of older people;
- economic - providing people of the "third age" with material prosperity and equal opportunities to participate in the economic life of the society;
- professional - the implementation of opportunities for permanent work capacity.
According to the duration of rehabilitation activities:
- rehabilitation of elderly people in acute conditions (the main character is a doctor);
- rehabilitation of elderly people with subacute conditions (performed by a doctor and a nurse);
- long-term rehabilitation (carried out by medical and social services).
Rehabilitation of the elderly requires the following rules:
- carrying out of rehabilitation actions according to the planned plan (it is necessary to acquaint the patient with it);
- periodic, regular monitoring of the functions of organs and systems (pulse, the number of respiratory movements, blood pressure, general health, etc.);
- support and shape the patient's belief in the success of rehabilitation activities, noting the slightest positive changes in his state of health;
- Do not do for the patient what he can do himself;
- classes should be systematic, activities - comprehensive.
[Who to contact?