Assessment & Treatment of Age Related Balance Impairment

Course Description

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “More than one-third of people aged 65 and older fall each year, and those who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again”. This course is designed to provide evidence-based fall prevention strategies for reducing the number of falls in the elderly population. Covering information that is pertinent for therapists practicing in a variety of settings, this course will discuss balance treatment for inpatients as well as community-based falls prevention programs.

Through interesting lecture and hands-on labs, this course will provide skills that can be used in the clinical setting the very next day. Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss age-related changes that contribute to falls in older adults, perform pertinent tests for evaluating balance and assessing fall risk, and develop evidence based plans for reducing the risk for falls.

sample video

Assessment of Age Related Balance Impairment

​Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss age-related changes that contribute to falls in older adults

• Differentiate causes of dizziness when given pertinent symptom description and objective findings

• Identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can increase risk for falls

• Identify abnormal gait patterns and discuss their effect on balance

• List common inpatient and outpatient environmental hazards that can effect risk for falls

• Describe how some medications may affect balance and increase risk for falling

• List high and low level standardized balance tests and discuss strengths and weaknesses of each

• Determine appropriate tests and measures to perform when given pertinent medical and functional information

Course Objectives: Labs

Based on case study scenarios and gait analysis findings, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate appropriate assessment techniques for obtaining objective measures

• Perform balance tests and explain results

Course Outline

Assessment of Age Related Balance Impairment

Day One

​

• 8:00AM – 8:30AM     Registration

• 8:30AM – 12:30PM    Phys. of Bal and Falls

       (Webinar Only)           - Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

                                             - Somatosensory Sys.

                                             - Visual System

                                             - Vestibular System

                                        Physiological Changes

                                        with Age and Illness

                                        Evaluation for Fall Prev.

                                        Standardized Bal. Tests

                                             -Review/Compare

                                        Gait Analysis

• 1:30PM – 5:30PM   LABS

                                        Measuring ROM

                                        and strength

                                              -Perform/interpret

                                              -Stand Bal Tests

                                        Perform and interpret

                                        high and low-level tests

                                              -Identify and Assess

                                              Common Gait Dev.

Treatment of Age Related Balance Impairment

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• List the anatomical components of the vestibular system and purpose of each

• Discuss age and illness-related changes of the vestibular system

• List common disorders of the vestibular system

• List objective tests for assessing vestibular function and discuss each

• List and discuss strategies to address ROM, strength, coordination/reaction time, and attentional deficits.

• Develop and document treatment plans when given pertinent medical and functional information

​​

Course Objectives: Labs

• Based on case study scenarios and gait analysis findings, participants will be able to:

• Develop well-rounded/holistic plan of care and demonstrate specific therapeutic interventions

• Perform BPPV evaluation tests and treatment maneuvers

• Perform DVA test and gaze stabilization treatment interventions

• Demonstrate fall-prevention interventions to improve balance and reduce fall risk

​​

Course Outline

Treatment of Age Related Balance Impairment

Day 2

​

• 8:00AM – 8:30AM     Registration

• 8:30AM – 12:30PM   Anatomy and

       (Webinar Only)    Physiology of

                                      the Vestibular System

                                         -Phys. Changes

                                          with Age and Illness

                                         -Common Disorders

                                          of the Vestibular Sys.

                                         -Evaluation Techniques

                                         -Treatment Techniques

                                          for BPPV

                                       Rehabilitation Techniques

                                       to Improve Balance

                                       Vestibular Rehabilitation

• 1:30PM – 5:30PM   LABS

                                       Stand. Vestibular Tests

                                           -BPPV Treatment

                                            Maneuvers Dem

                                            and Practice

                                           -DVA test demo

                                            and practice

                                        Rehab Interventions

Assessment of Age Related Balance Impairment Webinar   $59   5 CEUS

  Treatment of Age Related Balance Impairment Webinar   $59   5 CEUS  

Both Webinars   $99   10 CEUS 

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