Promoting mobility in patients with dementia: some suggested strategies for physiotherapists

Abstract

Mobility problems are not uncommon among dementia patients. This paper aims to encourage physiotherapists to accept the challenge posed by these patients; to seek solution to their mobility problems and to support and advise their carers.

A brief outline of the dementing process is introduced, followed by an account of the problemi associated with the dementia, which may affect the outcome of remobilisation efforts. Particular points for consideration during the assessment are mentioned and some examples are given of the physiotherapy intervention which might follow the identification of certain problems.

Improvements in the patients' functional mobility can be expected, if the problems associated with the dementia can be successfully managed. Strategies for this purpose are therefore suggested in Tome detail and examples are given to illustrate their use. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to communicate effectively and to exploit the use of sub-cortical responses and cues.