Managing Geriatric Clients

- 4.0 Contact Hours (Dinner included)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008    3:30 - 8:00 PM     Cost=$100.00

Course Description

In this workshop we will focus on the needs of geriatric clients. We will address the general needs as well as proper seating/positioning and falls.

This course will cover a variety of topics involving specific clinical skills that will enhance the ability of therapists to deliver more effective treatment to their geriatric patients. These patients may be not always receive the therapy they deserve if therapists do not assess cognitive, sensory , perceptual and behavioral issues accurately. The older adult deserves therapists with special skills to deal appropriately with these issues. The addition of specific programs, that are underutilized by therapists, to the therapeutic process would improve quality of life for the older adult.

The course will include:

• General conditions and considerations for ADLs with the geriatric client will include cognitive and perceptual needs, supportive and practical principles, importance of posture, sleep and nutrition, and other areas of need important for the therapist to take into consideration when treating the older adult.
• Proper seating and positioning improves comfort, safety, function, skin integrity, circulation, respiration, mobility and quality of life.  OBRA mandates that all residents receive intervention to enable them to function with the greatest degree of independence and achieve maximum potential. This presentation will describe a systematic approach to positioning and discuss various cushions and positioning devices.
• Falls among the elderly can lead to injury, loss of independence, and increased mortality.  This course will examine the multiple etiologies of falls within this vulnerable population, and increase your clinical skills in identifying risk factors, specific evaluation tools, and prevention interventions applicable to the this population within multiple environmental settings. Participants will be provided with written materials which can be used in the evaluation and treatment of functional balance deficits.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will:

• Understand the impact common problems of the older adult have on the therapy process.
• Identify types of seating & positioning devices .
• Know how to write treatment goals for residents in need of adapted positioning devices .
• Identify changes  related to falls & balance, and how the changes affect functional performance.
• Select appropriate treatment interventions for functional impairment resulting from falls and loss of balance, including limitations in mobility, ADL,.
• Identify and teach compensatory strategies to clients to safely complete ADLs.

Instructors

Coralie Glantz OT/L, BCG, FAOTA & Nancy Richman OTR/L, FAOTA, Sheryl Blackman (Faculty)

4.0 Contact Hours of credit for the following disciplines – PT, PTA, OT, OTA

Appropriate Audience
OTs, OTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, MSWs, Nurses