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Helping Them Back On Their Feet: Comprehensive Management of Falls in Older Adults

*This course will now be live streamed* 

Falls among older adults remain one the most pressing issues for rehabilitation professionals. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling and falls cost the healthcare system about $31 billion dollars annually. The good news is that falls are not a normal part of aging and that they are preventable.  Additionally, many of the risk factors associated with falling can be modified with the help of healthcare professionals. But clinicians have to understand the complex nature of falls and implement the most up to date interventions to effectively manage these patients.This comprehensive seminar will provide attendees a deeper understanding of the interplay between risk factors associated with falls. Additionally, attendees will review and practice the most evidence-based examination and evaluative tools available to be able to develop the best individualized plan of care of their patient and document skilled justification for treatment. Finally, the course content will outline the current best practices and interventions available to healthcare professionals in managing falls and aid in the prevention of future falls.

Instructor:

Nicole Dawson, PT, PhD, GCS is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Central Florida and Co-Director of the Innovative Mobility Innovative (IMOVE™) Lab.  She graduated from Ohio University with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy.  Dr. Dawson is a Board Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist with over 17 years of clinical experience along with a PhD in Adult Development & Aging Psychology.  Her current area of research includes developing non-pharmacological interventions to improve functional and psychosocial outcomes in patients with dementia, identifying predictors of falls in older adults with cognitive impairment, as well as gaining a better understanding of the disability experience for older adults including falls.  Dr. Dawson has been published in peer-reviewed journals including The Gerontologist and the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.  She has presented at numerous international and national conferences on the subject.  She is passionate about the bettering the treatment and care of these patients and is dedicated to assisting students and clinicians in gaining skills and knowledge to better help these patients maximize their potential.  

Objectives:

• Describe the prevalence, morbidity, and economic impact of falls in the United States
• Outline the risk factors associated with falls
• Utilize current literature to complete a comprehensive examination and evaluation
• Develop an individualized plan of care based on evaluative results
• Provide accompanying documentation to support plan of care and monitor patient progress

Agenda:
7:45 am           Check in
8-8:45 am        Prevalence and morbidity of falls
                        Economic impact of fall-related injuries
8:45-9:30 am   Risk Factors Associated with Falls
                        -Mobility-related risk factors         
                        -Medications
                        -Environmental hazards
                        -Medical conditions
9:30-9:45 am   BREAK
9:45-12 pm      Examination and Evaluation of Balance and Fall Disorders
                        -Systems review and subjective examination
                        -Strength and balance assessment
                        -Gait assessment
12-12:30 pm       LUNCH   
12:30-1:45 pm   Continued:  Examination and Evaluation of Balance and Fall Disorders
                        -Non-mobility Assessment
                        -Emerging Monitoring Technology
                        -Evaluating the findings-Documentation strategies
1:45-2:15 pm   Best Practices and Intervention for Treating Balance and Fall Disorders
                        -Exercise and Physical Activity       
                        -Home Modifications             
2:30-2:45 pm         BREAK
2:45-4:00 pm         Continued: Best Practices and Interventions
                         -Diet and Supplementation
                         -Other Interventions (Footwear, Podiatry and Vision)
                         Conclusion/Discussion
                         -Potential Barriers to Success
                         -Case Studies, barriers, outcomes
                          

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AOTA Classification Codes: Domain of OT & Occupational Therapy Process

MN Board of PT Approval