Ambulation, Balance and Falls in Older Adults

Course Description:  Rehabilitation professionals evaluate and treat older adults in a variety of settings. One of the common factors across all settings is that with aging changes are seen in gait and balance. These changes place older adults at an increased risk for falls.   It is critical that rehabilitation professionals have an understanding of these changes that occur so that they can properly evaluate and treat these patients, ultimately minimizing fall risk. This course will discuss fall risk factors and assessment of these factors including the most appropriate standardized assessments to be utilized.  It will also explore interventions with emphasis not only on therapeutic exercise but on assistive devices, medications, and environmental modifications as well.