Anyone have any tips or techniques for sucessfully working with patients over 75 that they would like to share? It appears an increasing # of over-75 patients are seeking PT/OT assistance these days.

my observation is that older patients don't like to be rushed. take the time to explain what you're doing and why and you will have better results.

Take the time to explain what you want to do and why, and then ask permission. Treat them with dignity. Spend time listening to and directing questions to the client rather than the son or daughter who might have brought them to the office. My experience has been that my older clients are more modest and restrained than my younger clients so they might be uncomfortable if asked to participate in treatments within an open gym setting or in a setting where conversations tend to be of a more personal nature. Also, settings where there is a lot of auditory or visual stimulation could be overwhelming if a client has decreased hearing or vision.

Society in general tends to treat the geriatric population as a burden or annoyance. To find something different within the PT/OT setting will go a long way in developing a good patient/therapist relationship.