Comorbidities and the Geriatric Rehab Patient - SOD

Course overview

Multiple comorbidities is common and greatly increases the complexity of managing geriatric rehab patients. In developed nations, about one in four adults have at least two chronic conditions and more than half of older adults have three or more chronic conditions. This places the geriatric patient at greater risk for adverse effects from therapy. In order to provide the most effective patient care, it is extremely important that the therapist understand the impact these comorbidities have on the patient and their rehab program. This course summarizes the most common comorbidities affecting the geriatric rehab patient. Content includes technical & layman descriptions, common medical procedures and treatment, statistics for the American geriatric population, risk factors, causes, and symptoms of each condition. Most importantly, the co-morbidities' effect on the Rehab Process are explained. Considerations for assessment, treatment planning, progression of treatment, and discharge planning are also discussed.