[Preclinical precautions in the therapeutic treatment of the aged]

In the case of elderly subjects in the preclinical stage of an illness, medication is required in exceptional cases only. On the other hand, general therapeutic aspects should be considered as early as possible in connection with a chronic illness accompanying the ageing process. In the elderly, physiotherapy forms a by no means insubstantial part of treatment. Considerable evidence points to its value during the preclinical phase. When physiotherapy is indicated, it is, however, important to avoid any danger of the therapeutic measures exceeding the maximum stress which such an elderly patient is able to bear. The stress imposed on the patient should be set at an appropriately low level, so as to avoid serious complications wherever possible. The following activities have been found to be particularly prone to complications: a load of more than 80% of the maximum functional capacity in ergometric training; gymnastic exercises producing an average rise in pulse frequency to over 120/min.; swimming at relatively low water temperatures and balneotherapeutic treatment in a full-size bath.