Ambulation can be an inherently complex and challenging activity for older adults.  Normative age-related changes can lead to functional decline in many daily activities including ambulation.  It is vital that rehabilitation professionals understand these normative changes as well as be able to identify any deficits in gait-related activities that may impede normal functioning in older adult patients.  In order to do this, a thorough functional assessment is necessary to better understand the underlying impairments that may be causing the dysfunction.  The course content will provide you with a better understanding of the available evidence-based gait assessment tools available to evaluate your patient’s functional mobility status.

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate

 

 

Course Objectives

  • Identify normative age-related changes in posture and gait
  • Identify functional implications of age-related changes in association with functional ambulation
  • Identify multiple assessment tools to examine gait and functional mobility in the older adult patient
  • Identify which assessment tool is ideal for a given patient presentation

Course Agenda

  • Normative age-related changes in posture and gait
  • Implications of normative changes in functional ambulation
  • Functional gait assessment and functional mobility tools
  • a. Which one to choose? b. Psychometric properties c. Normative values

Faculty

  • Nicole Dawson, PT, PhD, GCS

Nicole Dawson, PT, PhD, GCS is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Central Florida.  She is a Board Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist with over 13 years of clinical experience along with a PhD in Adult Development & Aging Psychology from Cleveland State University.  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 illness experience of individuals with dementia.  Dr. Dawson has been published in peer-reviewed journals including The Gerontologist and has presented at numerous local 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.

 

Contact Hours: 1.5

Price: $49

 

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