Enhanced Skills Program: Care of the Elderly Rehabilitation Rotation Goals and Objectives

By the end of the rotation, the resident will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of rehabilitation and the adjustments required in the older person and in frail elderly.
Demonstrate the ability to diagnose, investigate and manage cognitive impairment, falls, mobility issues, urinary incontinence and understands how these conditions may impact rehabilitation.
Demonstrate a comprehensive approach to falls including an assessment of underlying etiology, preventive strategies and post-fall rehabilitation.
Manage common medical issues in the rehabilitation patient (e.g. atrial fibrillation, heart failure, COPD, infection) including an appreciation of the impact of multiple concurrent chronic conditions.
Demonstrate an approach to pain management that recognizes the adjustments required in the older person.
Evaluate baseline (pre-morbid) and current functional abilities (both basic and instrumental activities of daily living) using reliable sources of information including standardized assessment tools.
Develop and implement plans for the assessment, management, and maintenance of patients with functional deficits, including the use of adaptive interventions, in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.

Accurately elicit and synthesize information from, and perspectives of, patients and families.
Engage patients and their families as active participants in their care.

Participate in a collaborative inter-professional rehabilitation team. Understands, recognizes and respects the diversity of roles, responsibilities and competencies of other professionals in relation to their own.
Work with others to assess, plan, provide and integrate care for complex geriatric rehabilitation patients.
Maintain a positive working environment with consulting health professionals, health care team members, and community agencies.
Respects differences, misunderstandings and limitations in oneself and other professional.
Reflect on inter-professional team function.
Work collaboratively with other health care professionals and community organizations to provide coordinated care for patients and caregivers.

Participate in activities that contribute to the effectiveness of their own practice, healthcare organizations and systems.
Manage their practice and career effectively. Sets priorities and manage time.
Allocate finite healthcare resources appropriately, including referral to other health care professionals and community resources, balancing effectiveness, efficiency and access to optimal patient care.

Respond to individual patient health needs and issues as part of patient care. Advocates for individual patients around relevant health matters.

Critically evaluate medical information, its sources, and its relevance to practice, and apply this information to practice decisions.

Demonstrate a commitment to their patients, profession and society through ethical practice.