State of the Art Physiotherapist-Led Approaches to Safe Aging in Place.
Christopher M Wilson, Sara K Arena, Lori E Boright
PMID 35909181WHAT IT FOUND
This Masterclass outlines a physiotherapist-led assessment framework for older adults at risk of falls, detailing specific screening tools for cognition, mood, frailty, and home safety.
It describes the HOP-UP-PT intervention model, which combines exercise, motivational interviewing, and environmental modifications to support aging in place.
Key findings
01The article proposes a comprehensive geriatric assessment approach for physiotherapists, utilizing tools like the Short Physical Performance Battery, Falls Efficacy Scale, and Home FAST to identify risks beyond simple mobility.
02The HOP-UP-PT program is presented as a case example of a physiotherapist-led model that integrates community referrals with home-based interventions including the Otago Exercise Program, motivational interviewing, and wearable technology.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review and Masterclass, not a systematic review or meta-analysis, so it does not provide pooled effect sizes or a rigorous appraisal of all available evidence. The '8-fold reduction in falls' attributed to the HOP-UP-PT program is derived from cited external studies, not new data generated in this paper. The article does not report on the efficacy of the specific assessment tools in isolation, but rather recommends them based on existing literature.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the '8-fold reduction in falls' mentioned for the HOP-UP-PT program as a finding from this specific paper. This article is a descriptive Masterclass summarizing existing programs; the outcome data comes from the cited references, not from a trial conducted by these authors in this text.