Physical Therapy for Older Adults

Clear, practical guidance for older adults and the people who support them.

1. What is the real decision?

Section 1 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

2. Which changes deserve attention?

Section 2 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

3. What information should be gathered?

Section 3 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

4. How can the older adult direct the plan?

Section 4 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

5. Which options should be compared?

Section 5 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

6. What should happen between reviews?

Section 6 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

7. When should a professional be contacted?

Section 7 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

8. What is a reasonable next step?

Section 8 of Physical Therapy for Older Adults calls for a practical answer, not a general promise. Start with what the older adult notices during an ordinary week and record one specific example with a date. Consider physical therapy can help an older adult pursue a practical goal such as getting safely to the bathroom, returning to a favorite walk, or managing stairs after an illness. Discuss the evidence with the person affected and with the appropriate professional when an individual assessment is needed. State who will take the next step and when the choice will be reviewed. The Administration for Community Living recommends planning that reflects an older adult’s preferences, abilities, and changing circumstances (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). In Physical Therapy for Older Adults, this means checking how the proposed action fits the person’s energy, budget, privacy, and existing support. Do not treat a family preference as consent. Ask what would make the plan easier to follow and what would make it unacceptable. A written follow-up note can identify unresolved questions before they become a rushed decision.

When to worry

Seek emergency help for severe symptoms, immediate danger, or an unsafe situation. For a new non-emergency concern related to physical therapy for older adults, contact a clinician or licensed physical therapist and describe what changed, when it started, and what has already been tried.

Bottom line

Physical Therapy for Older Adults is easier to manage when the next choice is based on the person’s goal, current evidence, and a review date. A careful question now can prevent a rushed decision later.