Fractured neck of femur is a common injury, with more than 25,000 older adults hospitalised each year—a figure that is expected to continue to rise. Emma Blake, Brett Baxter and Thomas Petrie from the Orthopaedics national group present five discussion points about the associated risk factors and management of these fractures.

Associate Professor Michele Callisaya, Dr Kate Lawler and Dr Claudia Meyer contribute five evidence-based practice points about physical activity and working with people living with dementia. 

Dementia is on the rise in Australia’s ageing population and numbers are expected to double by the middle of the century. Physiotherapy should be an essential part of care for these vulnerable patients, but many physiotherapists lack knowledge and confidence when working with people living with dementia. 

APA Gerontology group Western Australia Chair Kate Ellis, with contributions from the national group committee and Tony Petta, presents five discussion points about the role physiotherapists can play in healthy ageing and the prevention of frailty.

Reforms to the current funding model for physiotherapy aged care are desperately needed—just ask those at the coalface. Lindsey Brett and Natasha Pocovi draw on some of the views of Australian physiotherapists collected anonymously as part of their study into the barriers and facilitators for physiotherapy in residential aged care facilities.

A new landmark report into the value of physiotherapy and the findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission recognise that physiotherapy is the first step in falls prevention.

Rik Dawson’s Top Up program provides older people with a series of exercise videos designed to improve their strength and mobility. A conversation with him about two videos he has created to help frail older people exercise in their chairs.

I had the absolute pleasure in late 2021 of participating in La Trobe University student Shona Devlin’s look at the history of physiotherapy as part of her coursework.

A new website developed by Australian physiotherapists offers simple functional exercises and guidance on safe ways for older people to increase activity levels while at home.