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In addition to outpatient work, I do a lot of work with the elderly and infirm in my hospital and per diem work in the Hudson Valley Region of New York. I think that it is necessary to bring an orthopedic framework to PT work with the elderly but that the experience of "being" with them is even more important than the actual PT gains. People feel better when they are active, can exercise a bit, have a social experience, and make functional gains. This is why PT and OT are ideal modalities for interacting with the elderly.
Exercises/techniques such as tai chi, chi kung, reiki and the like which bring in a more energetic/holistic element may be totally appropriate in a geriatric setting. They help people relax. In many ways the elderly and the very ill are much more sensitive to energies than we are and if they enjoy the experience and it is appropriate to their situation, they will make gains.
I have truly enjoyed and am indebted to the work of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, EJ Gold, Sogyal Rinpoche, Ram Dass, the Dalai Lama and many others in the spiritual death and dying movement which I truly hope sees continued growth and acceptance in our culture. Please feel free to contact me through the above website.
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