ABPTS GCS key terms

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function that raises fall risk and limits independence. It is distinct from weight loss alone and is diagnosed using measures such as grip strength, gait speed, and muscle mass.

Loss of muscle strength with aging that is not fully explained by loss of muscle mass. It emphasizes functional strength deficits and is assessed with measures such as grip strength and chair-rise performance.

A state of reduced physiologic reserve that increases vulnerability to stressors and adverse outcomes. It is often operationalized with the Fried phenotype or a deficit-accumulation index and predicts falls, hospitalization, and mortality.

A five-criterion model of frailty: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength. Meeting three or more criteria classifies a person as frail.

The coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in one person. It complicates assessment and treatment because conditions and their medications interact, and it is common among older adults.

Use of multiple medications at the same time, often defined as five or more. It raises risks of adverse drug events, falls, and drug interactions and warrants periodic medication review.

Evidence-based list of medications considered potentially inappropriate for older adults because of risks such as falls, sedation, and anticholinergic effects. It guides medication review and deprescribing decisions.

The systematic process of reducing or stopping medications that are no longer beneficial or may cause harm. It is done with the prescriber and patient, weighing risks and benefits, and is relevant to fall prevention.

Loss of function and fitness caused by medical care itself, such as prolonged bed rest or unnecessary activity restriction. Prevention involves early mobility and avoiding avoidable immobilization.

Decline in strength, mobility, and function during a hospital stay, driven by bed rest, illness, and disrupted routines. It increases discharge to institutional care and readmission risk.

Restriction of movement that leads to complications such as pressure injury, venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, constipation, and contracture. Prevention includes positioning, mobility, and early ambulation.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue from sustained pressure, often over bony prominences. Risk rises with immobility, incontinence, poor nutrition, and impaired sensation; prevention includes repositioning and support surfaces.

A validated risk-assessment tool for pressure injury that scores sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. Lower scores indicate higher risk and prompt preventive interventions.

A brief process to identify older adults likely to fall, often asking about falls in the past year and using a timed gait test. Positive screens lead to multifactorial assessment and intervention.

A test that times a person rising from a chair, walking a short distance, turning, and returning to sit. It screens mobility and fall risk; slower times suggest increased risk.

The time required to walk a set distance, often expressed in meters per second. It predicts functional decline, hospitalization, and mortality and is sometimes called a vital sign of aging.

A CDC initiative that organizes fall prevention into screening, assessment, and intervention. It provides tools to identify fall risk, evaluate contributing factors, and select evidence-based interventions.

A tailored program addressing a person's specific fall risk factors, such as strength, balance, vision, medications, home hazards, and footwear. It is more effective than single-component approaches for high-risk individuals.

Ongoing concern about falling that leads to activity restriction and further deconditioning. It is assessed with tools such as the Falls Efficacy Scale and addressed with graded activity and confidence-building interventions.

Reduced bone mineral density and disrupted bone architecture that increase fracture risk. Physical therapy emphasizes safe loading exercise, balance training, and fall prevention to reduce fracture occurrence.

Collapse of a vertebral body, often from low bone density, causing pain, height loss, and kyphosis. Management includes pain control, posture and strengthening exercise, and fracture prevention.

Excessive forward curvature of the thoracic spine that can impair balance, breathing, and reach. In older adults it is often linked to vertebral fracture and osteoporosis and is addressed with postural exercise.

An acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often triggered by illness, medications, or hospitalization. It is a medical emergency requiring prompt recognition and differs from dementia in onset and course.

A chronic, progressive decline in cognition that interferes with daily function. It affects learning, safety, and communication, so therapy uses structured cues, routine, and caregiver involvement.

The physical, emotional, and financial strain experienced by someone caring for a person with functional or cognitive impairment. It affects adherence and discharge planning and warrants assessment and support.

Involuntary loss of urine that restricts activity and increases fall risk during hurried toileting. Types include stress, urge, and functional; pelvic floor and behavioral training are physiotherapy-relevant interventions.

A coordinated process that determines the safest setting and support needed after leaving a care facility. It considers function, home environment, caregiver capacity, and equipment needs.

Changes to a home environment that reduce injury risk, such as grab bars, lighting, and removal of tripping hazards. It is a core component of fall prevention for older adults.

A structured home strength and balance program for older adults designed to reduce falls. It is individually prescribed, progressively loaded, and supported by periodic review.

Progressive exercise against external or body resistance to build strength and muscle mass. In older adults it counters sarcopenia and dynapenia and improves function when appropriately dosed.

Practice of performing a motor task while simultaneously doing a cognitive task. It targets the divided-attention demands of daily life and is used to improve balance and reduce fall risk.

The frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise prescribed. In older adults it must account for comorbidity and frailty while still providing enough load to produce adaptation.

Public health recommendations for regular aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and balance activity in older adults. They emphasize reducing sedentary time and adapting activity to ability.

Actions that help people maintain or improve health and function, such as activity, nutrition, and preventive screening. In geriatrics it focuses on preserving independence and preventing decline.

Testing for conditions before symptoms appear so they can be treated early. Examples relevant to older adults include fall risk, bone density, and cognitive screening.

Discussion and documentation of a person's wishes for future medical care. Physical therapists contribute functional information and respect documented preferences in goal setting.

The right of a person to make informed decisions about their own care. It requires honest information, capacity assessment, and respect for refusal even when clinicians disagree.

Agreement to treatment given after understanding its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. It must be voluntary and requires the person to have decision-making capacity.

Prejudice or discrimination based on age that can lower expectations for older adults and limit access to rehabilitation. Recognizing it supports equitable assessment and goal setting.