special subjects
Overview of Rehabilitation
Geriatric Rehabilitation
Disorders requiring rehabilitation (eg, Overview of Stroke , Older people, even if cognitively impaired, can benefit from rehabilitation. Age alone is not a reason to postpone or deny rehabilitation. However, older people may recover more slowly because of a reduced ability to adapt to a changing environment, including Physical inactivity Lack of endurance Depressive Disorders or Decreased muscle strength, joint mobility, coordination, or agility Impaired balance Programs designed specifically for older patients are preferable because older patients often have different goals and need different types of care than do younger patients. In age-segregated programs, older patients are less likely to compare their progress with that of younger patients and to become discouraged, and the social work aspects of postdischarge care can be more readily integrated. Some programs are designed for specific clinical situations (eg, recovery from hip fracture surgery); patients with similar conditions can work together toward common goals by encouraging each other and reinforcing the rehabilitation training. 