Geriatric physiotherapy care: exploring the state of affairs in southeast Nigeria

Background
Decline in physical functioning due to aging necessi- tates geriatric physiotherapy role to improve well-being and qual- ity of life.

Aims
To examine the approaches adopted in the physiotherapy care of older adults, the facilitating and the limiting factors to ger- iatric physiotherapy care in southeast Nigeria.

Material and methods
This evaluative qualitative research ex- plored the situation of the geriatric care of older adults in south- east Nigeria using face-to-face interviews of purposefully selected 8 physiotherapists and 8 caregivers. Data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results
Three major themes emerged, including an overview, ap- proaches, and factors influencing geriatric physiotherapy care. This study supported that geriatric physiotherapy care in Nigeria is at its developing stage. However, it is thriving due to the com- mitted efforts of the physiotherapy department leadership and the presence of a continued professional development program. On the other hand, there are delimiting factors like long waiting times, limited working space and tools, the overwhelming cost of the care, and physiotherapists' dissatisfaction with a late referral from other care professionals.

Conclusions
Health and social policy are warranted to encourage cost-effective, quality, and accessible geriatric physiotherapy care and the impartation of relevant skills for the care of older adults.