By: Alora Campbell

PTA 100-Introduction to Physical Therapy Assisting

Practice Setting Presentations

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Sex- Mainly females but there has been a

fluctuation in the male workers since 1999.

Race/Ethnic Origin-2008 was the first yr. race was

taken a look at

Age- the mean age has gone up since 1999 to

2008

Years in Profession- more people are working in

the profession for a longer period of time (years)

My Setting- the percent of PTA’s in Geriatrics has

gone down from 1999 which was 7.2 then in 2006

it was 4.8 and then in 2008 it jumped back up to

5.1

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The majority of PTA’s make between

25,000 to 45,000 but the biggest % of

PTA’s make 30 to 35 thousand.

The next highest % is making 35 to 40

thousand.

And the smallest % of PTA’s are making

70 to 80 thousand.

17 to 23 dollars an hour

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Geriatrics is best described as the

branch of medicine that focuses on

health of elderly patients. It's focus is to

prevent and treat disease and

disability, as well as promote general

health of seniors. There is no specific

age at which a patient is prescribed

geriatric treatments, as this is generally

determined by the patients profile, and

the symptoms that the patient suffers

from. Some of the most common

treatments are for immobility,

incontinence and degradation of

memory.

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Some main problems that the patients or

geriatrics runs into is Arthritis, Osteoporosis,

Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke), Cancer

Parkinson's Disease, Urinary and Fecal,

Incontinence, Amputations, Cardiac and

Pulmonary Diseases, Dementias, Alzheimer's

Disease, Coordination and Balance Disorders

Functional Limitations related to mobility

Sports/Orthopedic Injuries, Joint Replacements

Hip Fractures

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Things we can done by PT’s or PTA’s are:

increase, restore or maintain range of

motion, physical strength, flexibility,

coordination, balance and endurance

recommend adaptations to make the

home accessible and safe

teach positioning, transfers, and walking

skills promote maximum function and

independence within an individual's

capability

increase overall fitness through exercise

programs

prevent further decline in functional

abilities through education, energy

conservation techniques, joint protection,

and use of assistive devices to promote

independence, improve sensation, joint

proprioception , reduce pain 10

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GSC or Geriatrics specialist training

The specialist certification program was

established in 1978 by the American Physical

Therapy Association. The purpose of the

program is to identify physical therapists with

advanced clinical knowledge and

experience. The American Board of Physical

Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) coordinates and

oversees the specialist certification process.

Advanced clinical Practice

Description-Geriatric serves as the basis

for the specialist certification exams and is

a valuable aid in determining your

readiness for specialist certification

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www.americangeriatrics.org

www.apta.org

www.thegeriatricpatient.com

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