Methodology of rehabilitation in the adult and in the older adultModule Methodology and techniques of geriatric rehabilitation
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: MANUELA PENNISIExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire knowledge of the main physiological and pathological processes of ageing, the characteristics of geriatric medicine, and the main rehabilitation approaches to the older adult, with particular reference to the bio-psycho-social model and multidimensional assessment.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to identify the main rehabilitation needs of older adults and to orient themselves among the different areas of intervention and levels of care in geriatric rehabilitation.
Making judgements
Students will develop the ability to analyse the clinical and functional complexity of older patients, taking into account frailty conditions, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors that may influence rehabilitation outcomes.
Communication skills
Students will be able to use appropriate terminology in the field of geriatric rehabilitation and to interact effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team in defining rehabilitation goals.
Learning skills
Students will be able to further develop their knowledge of geriatric rehabilitation through independent study and the consultation of scientific literature.
Course Structure
frontal interactive lessons
Required Prerequisites
basic knowledge of neurologic rehabilitation, neurology and geriatric medicine (mandatory)
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Gerontology and health service. Classification of the elderly population. Interindividual variability in aging.Characteristics of geriatric medicine (comorbidity, rehabilitative, psychogeriatric and healthcare issues). Biopsychosocial model. The frailty patient. Depression, dementia, delirium and their impact on outcome. Multilevel an interdisciplinary evaluation in rehabilitative setting. Rehabilitative setting according to disability level. Rehabilitative interventions.
Textbook Information
- La riabilitazione neuropsicologica -premesse teoriche ed applicazioni cliniche- a cura di Anna Mazzucchi; Masson terza edizione(reference book)
-Boyd CM et al "Clinical practice guidelines and quality of care for older patirents with multiple comorbid diseases" Jama 2005 (consultation book)
- Quaderni Ministero della Salute 2017 (consultation book)
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerontology and health service | Quaderni del Ministero della Salute 2017 |
| 2 | Classification of the elderly population | Società Italiana di Gerontologia e Geriatria 2018 |
| 3 | Interindividual variability in aging | Società Italiana di Gerontologia e Geriatria 2018 |
| 4 | Characteristics of geriatric medicine (comorbidity, rehabilitative, psychogeriatric and healthcare issues) | Boyd CM et al "Clinical practice guidelines and quality of care for older patirents with multiple comorbid diseases" Jama 2005 |
| 5 | The Biopsychosocial modelThe frailty patient | Quaderni del Ministero della Salute 2017 |
| 6 | The impact on outcome of depression, dementia, delirium | La riabilitazione neuropsicologica -premesse teoriche ed applicazioni cliniche- a cura di Anna Mazzucchi; Masson terza edizione |
| 7 | Multidimensional and interdisciplinary assessment in rehabilitation. Care regimens based on the degree of disability and intensity of rehabilitation therapy. Areas of intervention in geriatric rehabilitation. | Quaderni del Ministero della Salute 2017 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Oral exam. Elements to be evaluated: relevance of the answers, quality of their contents, ability to connect with other topics within the program, ability to report examples, quality of technical language, and overall expressive ability.
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students can request a meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measure, according to the educational goals and specific needs. In this case, it is advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) professor of the Department where the Degree Course is included
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
The frailty patient
Biopsychosocial model
Rehabilitative interventions in dementia