34 HOW TO TREAT : HEALTHY AGEING
34 HOW TO TREAT : HEALTHY AGEING
2 JUNE 2023 ausdoc . com . au accredited exercise physiologist to manage his knee pain and improve balance , strength and endurance .
The physiotherapist recommends John attends twice-weekly exercise sessions , for a period of eight weeks , to strengthen the muscles of the lower limbs and improve balance , and that he starts walking regularly in the morning . He is reassured that a gradual build-up of exercise can assist in managing knee pain and is advised to start with a 10-minute walk three days a week , gradually increasing to 20 minutes on most days of the week . He should walk at a pace that makes him breathe faster , while still able to engage in conversation .
At his eight week follow-up with the GP , John ’ s knee pain has improved and he feels more confident with his regular physical activities . He is walking for about 25 minutes most mornings and has rejoined the bowls club and feels more connected to his community . He is advised to continue with an at least twice-weekly home exercise program that includes strength and balance exercises .
CONCLUSION
RELATIVE to other populations , the care of older people often requires complex case management and a multidisciplinary response that includes clinical and social care . GPs play an integral role in these responses , shaping older people ’ s health and care outcomes . This is because they are a trusted provider and first port of call for many older people . Nearly one-third of all general practice encounters are with older people and these rates are projected to rise into the future . Consequently , GPs play a vital role in the care of older people and helping them feel respected , healthy , and included .
RESOURCES
• Safe Exercise at Home : Information on physical activity
How to Treat Quiz .
1 . Which ONE is a comprehensive definition of healthy ageing ? a The absence of disease . b The ability to maintain functional capacity and physical independence . c The process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age . d Prevention and management of acute and chronic conditions .
2 . Which THREE are common myths about ageing ? a Good health is the absence of disease . b Diversity in ageing is random . c Few older people require care . d There is a typical ageing trajectory and a typical older person .
3 . Which TWO statements regarding healthy ageing are correct ? a The WHO highlights the need to focus on the chronic diseases associated with ageing . b Functional ability is determined by an individual ’ s intrinsic capacity , their environment and the interactions between the two .
c Focusing on modifiable factors will help maintain independence . d Nutritional requirements remain the same as people age .
4 . Which THREE statements regarding falls and falls prevention are correct ? a Falls occur more frequently in men . b Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related hospitalisation in Australia . c Under-recognised in the consideration of falls is fear of falling . d Older people may be reluctant to disclose falls for fear that their ability to live at home will be questioned .
5 . Which TWO interventions have evidence for effectiveness in the management of falls prevention ? and exercise for older people bit . ly / 3QQz7wd
• NHMRC and Department of Health and Aged Care : Australian dietary guidelines bit . ly / 3Au6O1r
• Department of Health and
GO ONLINE TO COMPLETE THE QUIZ ausdoc . com . au / how-to-treat
a Strength and balance exercise . b Vitamin D in people with normal vitamin D levels . c Walking . d Home safety assessment and modification .
6 . Which THREE statements regarding mental illness in older people are correct ? a Older people with dementia and chronic pain experience mental illness at higher rates . b Mental illness in older people is under-recognised and under-treated . c The GDS is commonly used to screen for depression . d Rates of mental illness in older people is the same in residential care and in the community .
7 . Which ONE is NOT recommended as first-line management in an older person with mental illness ? a Physical activity .
EARN CPD OR PDP POINTS
• Read this article and take the quiz via ausdoc . com . au / how-to-treat
• Each article has been allocated one hour by the RACGP and ACRRM .
• RACGP points are uploaded every six weeks and ACRRM points quarterly .
HEALTHY AGEING
Aged Care : Physical activity and exercise guidelines for older Australians bit . ly / 3K1nCQm
• National Ageing Research Institute : Falls Risk for Older People in the Community tool
b Psychological and psychosocial interventions . c Pharmaceuticals . d Arts-based interventions .
8 . Which THREE are modifiable risk factors for dementia ? a Hypertension . b Familial risk . c Smoking . d Obesity .
9 . Which TWO statements regarding dementia are correct ? a The symptoms of cognitive decline and BPSD are predictable over time . b There is no single test to determine the presence or absence of dementia . c Implement pharmacotherapy early to manage the symptoms of BPSD . d Symptoms of dementia are commonly distinguished as cognitive and non-cognitive .
10 . Which THREE are the main perpetrators of elder abuse ? a Adult children . b Staff in residential care facilities . c Friends . d Partners / spouse .
Figure 4 . Computer-based health information and healthcare is not as easily accessible for some older people .
bit . ly / 3QzEgcj
• Geriatric Depression Scale — English example bit . ly / 3QIEdLz — Other languages stanford . io / 3AfCqGP
• GP assessment of cognition bit . ly / 3wnrHZO
• MMSE bit . ly / 3TaBVX8
• Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale bit . ly / 3wnskm8
• Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment tool bit . ly / 3QMZZ0E
• Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale bit . ly / 3CmMoJ4
• Elder Abuse Suspicion Index bit . ly / 3BvoJEX
• Elder Assessment Instrument bit . ly / 3dQK2b4
• Caregiver Abuse Screen bit . ly / 3T7vIeF
• Brief Abuse Screen for the Elderly bit . ly / 3AIzFiB
• Australian Elder Abuse Screening Instrument bit . ly / 3pDDEXm
• Compass : Guiding action on elder abuse bit . ly / 3xgCu8j
• Elder abuse helpline 1800 ELDERHelp ( 1800 353 374 )
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission : Serious Incident Response Scheme bit . ly / 3TgvuBJ
Conflict of interest declaration Frances Batchelor was involved in the development of the Safe Exercise at Home website but receives no financial benefit . The other authors declare no conflicts of interest .
References Available on request from howtotreat @ adg . com . au