Keeping Seniors Moving
According to the World Health
Organization Report on Ageing and
Health 2015, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis
and sarcopenia affect millions, and can
lead to serious outcomes, such as falls
that shorten lifespans. 2
As MSK experts, chiropractors are well
positioned to treat seniors and advise
them on ways to increase mobility and
strength. Besides addressing the obvious
MSK concerns, part of treatment also
needs to be about engaging seniors in the
decisions that affect their lives, like staying
physically active and reducing sedentary
behaviour. In consultation, encourage
seniors to define the issues they are
concerned about and work with them to
develop realistic, attainable goals.
"The care of seniors requires tailored
exercise programs and manual therapy
because they are often osteoporotic, have
multiple pain generators, and limitations
such as degenerative knee/hip disease
that require modification and customizing
care,” says Dr. Carlo Ammendolia. “Falls
are a big concern for seniors, which
require objective assessment, followed by
falls prevention exercises and strategies,
and regular monitoring.”
According to Dr. Demetry
Assimakopoulos, “If there are mild to
moderate difficulties with balance related
to the musculoskeletal system, then
treatments such as manual therapy and
exercise may be beneficial. However,
if non-neuromusculoskeletal sources
of poor balance potentially exist
(i.e., neurodegenerative conditions,
sensory ataxia, peripheral neuropathy,
polypharmacy), then appropriate referral
and co-treatment with other health care
providers is absolutely necessary.”
Based on older patients’ conditions and
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FALL/WINTER 2018
health concerns, chiropractors can access
and share resources that facilitate safe
exercise, while proactively addressing the
fear of falling.
and above. This is a great handout for
patients and caregivers.
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GLA:D Canada Program
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GLA:D™ Canada is an evidence-
based conservative management
program for individuals with
symptoms of osteoarthritis. It
provides education on osteoarthritis,
self-management, treatment options,
and how to exercise safely.
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with chronic pain in
multiple areas (e.g.,
back, neck, legs), have
other comorbidities (e.g.,
diabetes, heart disease,
cancer), and cognitive
impairments, balance
issues and taking
many medications,
a comprehensive
and structured approach
to care is required.”
Watch the OCA webinar video to
learn more about GLA:D™ Canada.
The Canadian Chiropractic Guideline
Initiative (CCGI) has exercise videos
and instructions, which focus on
self-care and home exercises to
facilitate mobility, stretching and
strengthening. They are grouped into
four distinct categories, making it
easy for both clinicians and patients
to find the right ones for them.
The exercises in the new video series
are based on the latest evidence and
have been selected after review by
clinicians and researchers from the
CCGI team.
Physical Activity for Older Adults
WHO factsheet
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“As seniors often present
In preparation for more senior
patients, chiropractors may be
interested in the GLA:D Canada
training program themselves, or
want to recommend GLA:D`s eight
week neuromuscular exercise and
education program to patients with
hip or knee osteoarthritis.
CCGI YouTube channel
The World Health Organization
(WHO) has a physical activity
factsheet for adults aged 65 years
It covers the recommended levels
of physical activity for older adults,
as well as the benefits of increased
physical activity.
~Dr. Carlo Ammendolia
Online course: Learn How to
Prevent Falls
• Ottawa Public Health provides a
free online course, “Learn How to
Prevent Falls.” The training is based
on current literature, the Canadian
Fall Prevention Curriculum and best
practices in fall prevention. A great
resource for patients and caregivers.
• The course covers why falls are a
health problem for older adults, how
to identify risk and how to include fall
prevention into a senior`s life.
OCA Falls Prevention toolkit
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A toolkit for chiropractors to use
in practice with older patients, and
in community outreach and public
education. It includes a PowerPoint
presentation as well as print handouts
and stretching and exercise tips.