Rehabilitation for the Frail Elderly

Description:

The purpose of this seminar is to provide rehabilitation professionals with current information and rehabilitation concepts for the care of the frail, elderly patient in all healthcare settings. Topics for discussion include problems associated with frailty, medical and cognitive pathologies, rehabilitative examination, intervention and exercise
strategies, and pharmacological management. Over 25 specific and simple evaluation tools for the frail elderly and treatment protocols for problems of gait, balance, strengthening, flexibility, contractures and endurance will be presented. Strategies for effective treatment within a limited time frame will be emphasized. Case studies and video presentations will be used to facilitate learning of rehabilitation principles in treating the frail elderly and the issues facing health care professionals working in specialized settings. This is an important seminar because the frail elderly continue to be a fast growing segment of the geriatric population.

This innovative and multi-dimensional high tech presentation includes:
A 300+ page handout, Hundreds of current medical references, Ready to use - Detailed Evaluation Tools,Treatment Techniques, Exercise Programs,Reliable and Valid Outcome Measures.

Objectives:

Cite research related to the concept of the "frail elderly" including "rules" based and "impairment based definitions, current models of frailty and use of evidence based evaluation tools for the disabled and frail population including psychometric properties.
List and understand predictors and consequences of institutionalization including bed rest, immobility, dehydration and malnutrition and associated prevention and treatment interventions.
Apply the concepts of endurance training including heart rate max/reserve, VO2max/reserve and metabolic equivalents for treatment of frail elderly patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD, CHF and HTN) and pulmonary disease such as COPD. Assess patients with
cardiovascular disease using functional assessment tools (i.e. seated step test, 6MWT etc.)
Identify and treat the residual impact of stroke including unilateral neglect.
Describe the functional impairment of the frail older person with Parkinson's disease and apply specific evaluation and therapeutic techniques including cueing, rehearsal, and balance exercises to improve task performance.
Identify problems for treatment of frail elderly patients with generalized weakness due to diabetes and urinary incontinence.
Discuss stages and theories of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease). Apply the concepts of feedback and the rehabilitation of attention, memory, and awareness in the treatment of frail patients with dementia.
Define pharmacological management and adverse reactions of major medication groups with a focus on cardiovascular and psychotropic drugs. Apply learned principles in a case study.
Use evidence based assessment tools and apply evidence based treatment techniques related to posture, velocity, lower extremity strength, pre-gait and mobility activities to improve gait in the frail older population. Apply functional tests such as the Dynamic GaitIndex.
Use sensory testing and training, static and dynamic balance tests,lower extremity strategies, adaptation strategies and functional assessment tools to evaluate, treat and improve balance in the frail elderly. Review Minimal Detectable Change values for various tests.
Design comprehensive strength and range of motion programs using evidence based principles and apply exercise strategies (i.e. one repetition max) to the frail older population. Implement assessment tools such as timed stand tests, stretching and neurofacilitation to
evaluate and improve strength and contractures.

Faculty: Bob Thomas, P.T., M.S., received his B.S. from Eastern University in Pennsylvania and his M.S. in physical therapy from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He is a geriatric physical therapist and the president of Infinity Rehab, Merit Rehab and Therapy Solutions, providers of health and rehabilitative services to skilled subacute and long term care facilities, community based care facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics and schools settings in seven states.

To register, call 877-794-7328. To download the brochure, please click workshop brochure.