#THIRDTHURSDAY: Special Considerations for the Physical Therapist Assessment of the Older Adult (March 2020)

Leaders of IPTA's Geriatric Special Interest Group (GeriSIG) present this important program in promoting best practice care for the older adult population during the physical therapist assessment. This hour and a half presentation will delve into the important recent trends occurring in our clinical practice in physical therapy for the older adult. Older adults are living longer with an increasing number of comorbidities, making the population an ever increasingly complex one. As such, older adults face a set of special challenges that physical therapists are uniquely equipped, but often hesitant to manage. This presentation will cover several of these issues including generational disparities; assessment considerations; special topics such as depression, dementia, delirium, nutrition, and pain management; and the importance of interprofessional collaboration in managing the older adult population.

2020 GeriSIG leaders Jaime Fortier-Jones, PT, DPT; Sally Fisher, PT, DPT; and Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT tshare their insight and expertise on "Special Considerations for the Physical Therapist Assessment of the Older Adult. "

What to expect: 

Objectives: 
By the end of this lecture participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between normal age-related changes and abnormal changes that occur with aging with a special focus on generational and socioeconomic differences unique to older adults.
• Determine special considerations during physical therapy assessment required to meet the distinctive needs of the older adult population.
• Define “normal” cognition for the older adult patient and how alterations in cognition, including dementia and delirium, can affect therapy outcomes.
• Develop an understanding of the prevalence of depression, new research regarding nutrition, and potential pharmacological based complications in the older adult. 
• Evaluate the role of the physical therapist on the interprofessional team when working with the older adult population.

About the Speakers

Jaime Fortier-Jones, PT, DPT Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) has over 15 years of experience in geriatric Physical Therapy and is currently working in home health setting in southern Illinois. She also serves as adjunct faculty for Saint Louis University in St Louis, Missouri as well as Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. Jaime is an active member of the IPTA and currently serves as the Southern District’s representative to the APTA House of Delegates, PT representative to the IPTA’s Assembly and is Chair of the district’s nominating committee. She is a member of the APTA Geriatrics and served as the Illinois State Advocate from 2016 to 2019. Jaime is the current Chairperson for the IPTA GeriSIG executive committee.

Sally Fisher, PT, DPT Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA) Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) Certified Dementia Practitioner-National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP) is a Physical Therapist working in the Continuing Care Retirement Community setting in the Bloomington area. With over 25 years experience working in multiple settings including home health, out-patient, in-patient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. Sally has pursued an interest in falls prevention, osteoporosis management and Geriatric health and wellness. Sally is a member of the APTA, and has served as a representative to the APTA House of Delegates, IPTA Assembly and Vice Chair of the North Central district. Sally is the current Vice Chair for the IPTA GeriSIG executive committee.

Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA) Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) is a home health physical therapist based in the Chicagoland area. She is an active member of APTA Geriatrics serving in several leadership roles such as the Eastern Regional Coordinator for the APTA Geriatrics State Advocate Program as well as Secretary for the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group. Dr. Moyer is also an experienced speaker, having presented at the national level for both APTA Combined Sections Meeting and National Student Conclave, at the local level at IPTA Revitalize, and in the online setting as instructor for the EIM online Geriatric Residency Program. Heidi is also an adjunct faculty member at Governors State University. She was named the Emerging Leader recipient for APTA Geriatrics in 2019 as well as received the President’s Award for Service for APTA Geriatrics. Heidi is the current Secretary for the IPTA GeriSIG.

This program was originally recorded March 19, 2020.

You can even earn 2 FREE CE:  

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.
2. Once your transaction is completed, you will receive an email with a link to download a document containing a link to the online recording AND a link to a quiz to complete after you view the recording.
3. Watch the recording and complete the quiz. If you score 80% or better, you will receive an email notification of your CE award.  If you are an IPTA member, your CE award will also post in your membership profile under Professional Development.