How to Become a Geriatric Physical Therapy Practitioner

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Physical therapists must complete a rigorous education plan, participate in a residency program and become licensed before they are able to practice. Early in their training, various specialties may be introduced for consideration. Those who specialize in geriatric physical therapy focus on helping the elderly population recover from injuries and maintain their range of motion by developing their muscles and physical capabilities. Follow these steps to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer with Internet access

Consider Becoming a Geriatric Physical Therapist

Step 1

Attend a recognized geriatric program after completion of core academic classes. Currently, there are very few programs available for geriatric physical therapy training.
Step 2

Expect to attend a 1-year geriatric residency program to become eligible for certification as a practitioner.
Step 3

Speak to other therapists to get a practitioner's perspective. Therapists in practices that treat the geriatric population have valuable insight on this career path.
Step 4

Visit the "American Physical Therapy Association" Web page (see Resources below). There's a section on geriatrics where you can learn more about the techniques, rewards and challenges of this field.

Understand the Needs of Geriatric Patients

Step 1

Become familiar with the needs of older patients. Older patients may need therapy to recover from falls and injury, a result of weakened bones due to age-related osteoarthritis.
Step 2

Realize that improving geriatric patients' quality of life is the most beneficial outcome a physical therapy practitioner can provide. Patients in their last stages of life often seek to become as pain-free as possible during their final years.
Step 3

Enhance a patient's quality of life with subtle changes. Teaching patients small adjustments such as postural changes can help relieve their lower back and spinal discomfort.
Step 4

Learn about physiological changes occurring in older patients such as diminished flexibility and decreased dexterity.

Notice the Benefits of Physical Therapy

Step 1

Recognize the success of physical therapy treatment. A practitioner may not always recognize the overall influence therapy can have on a patient.
Step 2

Set realistic expectations for your patients. Helping separate goals into steps makes it easier to keep the patient motivated through the course of treatment, which may be lengthy in some cases.
Step 3

Assist family members of geriatric patients in understanding the need for a therapy program. Diffuse the hesitation that comes with the recommended therapy, by focusing on the benefits of therapy, rather than the costs, when explaining the treatment plan.