Gerontology and physical therapy

Abstract

The main causes initiating conditions requiring care are difficulties with daily living, such as infirmity with age, falls and bone fractures, the so-called geriatric syndrome. In order to establish a strategy for preventing geriatric syndrome, it is necessary to understand the situation regarding age-related changes in old persons' health and physical and mental functions. According to a longitudinal study of old people living locally, it became clear that the occurrence of geriatric syndrome was related to motor functions, suggesting that exercise is important as a principal measure in care prevention. It has already been empirically proven that through exercise training, old peoples' motor functions are improved, and it can be predicted that there will be a greater demand for care prevention involving exercise. It can be said that physical therapists should play a big role in the process of developing such care prevention.