If an elderly, co-morbid pt has pneumonia then is it the standard practise to use physical chest therapy or is generally not worthwhile in such cases?

Important: Elderly patients with pneumonia may be too weak to expectorate and raise secretions and inability to do so makes it difficult to clear the infection. Chest physical therapy helps them raise the secretions. The mortality rate is high in elderly people with pneumonia and pooling of secretions is one of the reasons.

Chest PT: There is little evidence to support the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy for adults with pneumonia. Although in theory the Physical therapy should keep the airway open, I don't see any harm in doing so if the patient can cooperate.