17. Abu Ghanam, A. and Maas, L. E. M. Physiotherapy and the Elderly in the West Bank. 1994: 13 pp.

This study investigates what physiotherapy services elderly people use and what preferences physiotherapists have in working with different age groups. The authors hypothesize that, although no specific services are available for elderly persons, older people are a significant part of the workload of the physiotherapists in Palestine. A general review of the international literature pertaining to the elderly and physiotherapy is provided. Results indicate that physiotherapists in Palestine have a stronger preference for working with people between the ages of fifteen and forty-five. Also, the study corroborates the assumption that elderly people do in fact form a large part of physiotherapists’ patient loads. Physiotherapy services should take into consideration the environment of the older person and should aim at strengthening the existing support network.