A Holistic Approach to Geriatric Rehabilitation: Leveraging the MFOA for Superior Patient Care

TL;DR

A new framework called MFOA combines two models to improve personalized care for older adults with Parkinson’s disease during physical therapy.

Contribution

The MFOA framework integrates the Geriatric 5Ms and ICF to offer a novel, holistic approach to geriatric rehabilitation.

Findings

MFOA tailors care plans by combining the Geriatric 5Ms and ICF models for individualized patient assessments.

The framework addresses physical, psychological, and social aspects of care to enhance patient outcomes.

MFOA improves quality of life and therapy engagement by focusing on what matters most to the patient.

Abstract

The Movement Framework for Older Adults (MFOA) integrates the Geriatric 5Ms (Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multicomplexity, Matters Most) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) to provide a comprehensive approach to geriatric rehabilitation. This study provides a comparative analysis of two patients with Parkinson’s disease, demonstrating MFOA’s application in addressing their unique needs within a physical therapy context. The Geriatric 5Ms serve as the lens through which patient assessments and interventions are tailored, focusing on what is most important to the individual. The ICF model further supports this by categorizing health and health-related domains, ensuring a holistic perspective that considers all aspects of a patient’s well-being. MFOA emphasizes individualized care plans, incorporating interventions and tasks specific to each patient’s goals. This approach ensures that both physical and mental health are addressed to achieve optimal outcomes. The framework’s application involves a thorough assessment of the patient’s physical capabilities, psychological state, and social context, allowing for a comprehensive and patient-centered care plan. The integration of the Geriatric 5Ms and ICF models within the MFOA framework ensures that the care provided is aligned with what matters most to the patient, enhancing quality of life and engagement in therapy. This work underscores the novelty and utility of the MFOA in physical therapy management of older adults. By combining the Geriatric 5Ms and the ICF, the MFOA offers a unique and comprehensive approach that addresses the multifaceted needs of older adults, potentially improving geriatric rehabilitation outcomes through personalized, holistic care.