Premium
Role of Physical Therapists in Physical Activity Programs in Nursing Homes: A Survey
Author(s) -
Skeist Helen Deborah
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1980.tb00245.x
Subject(s) - physical therapist , medicine , nursing , salary , work (physics) , recreation , nursing homes , physical space , physical therapy , mechanical engineering , cartography , engineering , political science , geography , law
A survey was conducted to help define the role of physical therapists in physical activity programs in nursing homes. Questionnaires were completed by 64 physical therapists working in nursing homes of 130–150 bed capacity. The major factors studied were employment status, work‐time at the facility, interprofessional relationships, and available equipment and space. Of the respondents, 43.7 percent were involved in physical activity programs, the most common roles being staff instruction and consultation. Only a small percentage of the time was used for programs; most of the time was occupied with individual physical therapy treatment. The principal types of programs with physical therapist involvement were ambulation and gait training, bed exercises, and general group exercises. Equipment and space seemed adequate. Physical therapists were likely to be involved in physical activity programs if: 1) they were employed by the nursing homes, were paid on a salary basis, worked at the nursing homes full‐time or nearly full‐time, and did not work elsewhere; 2) such programs were mentioned during discussion of the work agreement; and 3) the coordinator of the physical activity programs was an occupational therapist or a nurse rather than an activities director or recreational therapist.