Geriatrics

lknr1208  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Geriatrics
The version you’re consulting is not final. This course description may change. The final version will be published on 1st June.
2.00 credits
22.5 h
Q1
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
  • Introduction to geriatrics and gerontology
  • Basics about the epidemiology of aging
  • Physiological aging: sense organs, cognition, kidney, etc. (stereotype of the elderly)
  • The main syndromes/complaints linked to pathological aging in the elderly: memory problems, acute confusion, specific aspects of depression
  • How to evaluate, prevent and manage a patient with a frailty syndrome, functional decline, or an elderly person at risk of falling?
  • Use of standardized geriatric assessment (Katz, Lawton, MMSE, MNA, Tinetti, TMM, Get-up and go test, SPPB, algoplus, etc.).
  • Nutritional problem: malnutrition and its risks
  • Therapeutic project (communication with the elderly person) and integrated multidisciplinary approach with the care network and loved ones.
  • The organization of the geriatric care pathway and new models of co-management.
  • WHO recommendations for good practice of therapeutic interventions in the elderly (physical exercise, advice on suitable technical aids, group sessions)
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

  • List and explain the main syndromes/complaints linked to physiological or pathological aging in the elderly (2.1, 11.2)
  • Identify stereotypes linked to the specificities of elderly people and become aware of their potential bias on clinical reasoning and patient care (stigma of populations) (1.3)
  • Name and describe the main tools of standardized geriatric assessment, and specify their usefulness as well as their conditions of implementation (2.3)
  • Explain the basic principles and steps of the process for developing a therapeutic project (2.6, 2.7)
  • Justify the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of a patient presenting with complaints related to aging (7.1, 7.2)
  • Describe the WHO recommendations for good practice of therapeutic interventions in seniors (physical exercise, advice on suitable technical aids, group sessions) (3.1)
For a clinical vignette relating to a patient suffering from a geriatric condition:
  • Identify the signs and symptoms, and their atypicality, and consider the different possible clinical diagnoses (2.3)
  • Identify the standardized geriatric assessment tools relevant to this patient (2.3)
  • Interpret the results of the geriatric assessment carried out (2.4)
  • Identify the adaptations/specificities in the management of such a patient (2.1 to 2.8; 3.1)
  • Extract relevant information from a clinical vignette to communicate during discussions between caregivers (physiotherapist, doctor, etc.) (7.2)
 
Other information
This course is reserved for FSM students. Access is possible to other UCLouvain students on the basis of an application to be submitted to the course coordinator.
Faculty or entity


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Motor Skills: Physical Education

Bachelor in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation