ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe older adults being seen for physical therapy, (2) identify the most prevalent physician orders and physical therapy interventions, and (3) compare these results across US regions. METHODS: A written questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1600 therapists. Therapists completed information for up to 10 patients including classification of diagnosis according to the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. ANALYSIS: Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: 118 therapists provided information on 839 patients. More of the patients were women (65%) than men (35%); their average age was 76.4 years. Most patients were seen in the outpatient setting (56%) and over 70% were classified into one of the musculoskeletal diagnostic categories. "Evaluate and treat" was present in 66.2% of the physician orders. The 6 most frequently performed interventions were in the therapeutic exercise category. CONCLUSION: Many physical therapists, even those who may not consider themselves geriatric physical therapists, are seeing older adults in a variety of settings. Knowledge about the diverse needs of older adults, therefore, is important for clinicians and students to meet the rising demand for quality physical therapy for this population.
