This learning path contains courses which can be used in preparation for completing the Geriatric Specialization Exam.

The courses were recorded during the ExPAAC Conference FOCUS sessions.

Click the link to view each individual course description:

• LMS-771: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Changes with Aging
• LMS-772: Musculoskeletal Changes with Aging
• LMS-773: Integumentary Changes with Aging
• LMS-774: Neuromuscular Changes with Aging

This course provides reviews and updates the learner regarding the impact of aging on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. The learner will review current evidence for best practice for physical therapy assessment and interventions for the aging population with cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Topics reviewed include assessment and treatment for older clients with normal aging issues, risk factors for disease, acute, and chronic diseases such as MI, arrhythmias, CHF, and COPD.

This was recorded during the ExPAAC Conference and includes the introduction to the FOCUS Sessions.

To review the webinar Click here Registration is required

This webinar will be looking at minimizing the impact of social distancing and is aimed primarily at our older adults, their caregivers and therapists looking for ideas to help the older adult in these challenging times. Representatives from home health, acute care, geriatrics and the cognitive and mental health SIG will be speaking on ways individuals, their families, caregivers and therapists can help minimize the impact of the isolation being experienced by many of our older adults.

Download the PDF of the Presentation Slides.

Meet our Presenters

Emily Fleischman PT, DPT, GCS; Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, CA

Chris Childers PT, BSc (Hons), MS, PhD; Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist; (GCS)Certified in Advanced Competency in Home Health

Carolina Zubiri, DPT, GCS; Stanford Hospital, Intermediate ICU, Critical Care Team

Diana Kornetti, PT, MA, HCS-D, HCS-C; Partner, Kornetti & Krafft Health Care Solutions; President, Home Health Section

NOTE: We do NOT apply for CEU approval for Geriatrics webinars, however your state licensure may allow credits for this education activity. We do provide a certificate of attendance, which can be downloaded below. You will need to contact the agency or organization in your state, which handles your professional licensure, in order to determine whether credit is available for webinars, and without applications for approval.There is no survey to be completed for this webinar.Download the Certificate of Attendance.

The use of standardized tests is an important element of physical therapist practice, as it allows physical therapists to: consistently assess, measure, and compare performance in patients and clients; establish an expected level of function and clinical outcome as part of a physical therapist plan of care; and measure and document progress toward the established goals. APTA and other federal, state, and national associations, advocate for standardized tests; however, their use as a regular component of physical therapist practice still is lacking.

This course provides you with a review of the patient history and chart review process, an overview of selected standardized assessments that easily can be incorporated into the physical therapist assessment, and a discussion of how standardized assessment results can be used to develop an evidence-based clinical plan of care.

Meet our Presenters:

Kerri Bednarcik, PT. Kerri Bednarcik is the Director of Education and Staff Development for Genesis Rehab Services. As a licensed physical therapist, Kerri has over 30 years of clinical experience in diverse settings, including acute rehab, acute care, outpatient, and home health, with the last 20 years in the post-acute setting. Kerri has been active in local and national associations throughout her career, and has presented on a variety of clinical and administrative topics at local, state, and national levels. Kerri has held an academic appointment and has served the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) as an on-site reviewer and Commissioner. Kerri received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University.

Cindy Gallo, PT, Regional Clinical Director, Genesis Rehab Service. Cindy graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 1980. Her career has focused on the geriatric population, providing physical therapy services in acute rehab, subacute rehab and long term care. Cindy joined Genesis Rehab Services in 1996 and has experience in long term care, assisted living and independent living communities. As a Regional Clinical Director, Cindy's focus has been on improving the quality of care provided to patients through the advancement of clinical skill sets in several areas of practice, including exercise, balance/fall prevention and modalities, and demonstrating how to incorporate these regimens into treatment programs which emphasize functional goals. Cindy is a proponent of the interdisciplinary model of care and believes this model serves to maximize the patient’s quality of life. In addition, she believes that proper use of treatment protocols can lead to more functionally based treatment programs. Cindy has also played an instrumental role in creating education for Genesis on the topics of urinary incontinence and the use of focused assessments.

Ian Kilbride, PT, Regional Clinical Director, Genesis Rehab Services. Ian earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Ohio in consortium with the University of Toledo in 2000. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Toledo (1998).

Ian has held licenses in Ohio and Michigan, working primarily with the geriatric population. Ian has been employed by Genesis Rehab Services since 2009 as a Regional Clinical Director providing clinical support to clinicians in the skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, and independent living settings. Prior to 2009, he provided clinical and operational management at the center level in addition to providing patient care for Harborside Healthcare/Sun Healthcare. Focus areas of practice have included: interdisciplinary dementia care, falls prevention and management, evidenced-based PT practice, and geriatric strength training.

Ian frequently lectures on the topics of: dementia care, physical agent modalities, geriatric strength training, functional seating and positioning, falls risk management/prevention, medically complex patients, and the use of standardized assessments in physical therapy practice. He has also supported the development of educational programs and resources for Genesis Rehab Services.

This learning path contains courses which can be used in preparation for completing the Geriatric Specialization Exam.

The courses were recorded during the ExPAAC Conference FOCUS sessions.

Click the link to view each individual course description:

• LMS-771: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Changes with Aging
• LMS-772: Musculoskeletal Changes with Aging
• LMS-773: Integumentary Changes with Aging
• LMS-774: Neuromuscular Changes with Aging

As an individual ages, the integumentary changes which impacts not only wound healing but potential for wounds to occur. This course will review the aging issues of the integumentary system to allow the clinician to differentiate between physiological and pathological changes. The clinician will be able to adequately address risk factors, clinical assessment and management of integumentary conditions, and develop PT plan of care related to the integumentary system. Included will be common pathologies, atypical wounds, interventions for pain management and end of life issues with emphasis on the role of the Physical Therapist.

Musculoskeletal changes occur with normal aging are common in the older adult population and may cause pain and reduced quality of life in aging adults. With advancing age, the frequency of musculoskeletal disease and the impact on activities of daily living, mobility and physical activity is increasingly detrimental. This presentation will discuss the effects of aging on the musculoskeletal system, review the examination of the aging adult to address the most frequent musculoskeletal diseases and related impairments, and provide interventions for the older adult with musculoskeletal disorders and functional limitations.

This course provides reviews and updates the learner regarding the impact of aging on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The learner will review current evidence for best practice for physical therapy assessment and interventions for the aging population with neurologic disorders. Topics reviewed include assessment and treatment for older clients with vision problems, cognitive decline, Parkinson disease, stroke and spinal cord injury.

Course Description

Individuals with dementia often require physical therapy. Dementia may be either a primary diagnosis or a co-morbidity or complexity. In either case the needs of the individual with dementia and his/her caregivers can present unique challenges to the treating therapist and the interprofessional care team. The ability to develop an effective strategy when working with patients with dementia is critical in ensuring optimal outcomes. This presentation will provide participants with a deeper understanding of the impact of dementia on the therapeutic process and techniques for developing an effective treatment plan that addresses the unique needs of this patient population.

Meet our Speakers

Dawn Bookshar PT, DPT, is a regional clinical director for Genesis Rehab Services, where she provides clinical support for the skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, and independent living settings. Prior to this role she has worked primarily in skilled nursing and long-term care since 2005. Bookshar earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Ohio University, an MBA in health care from Baldwin Wallace College, and her doctor of physical therapy degree from The University of Montana. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy. Bookshar’s focus areas of practice include interdisciplinary dementia care, falls prevention and management, physical agent modalities, and geriatric strength training. She frequently lectures on documentation, dementia care and management, physical agent modalities, geriatric strength training, functional seating and positioning, falls risk management and prevention, and medically complex patients. She is actively involved in the Ohio Physical Therapy Association, as secretary and a member of the chapter’s Conference Committee.

Nicole Lavoie, PT, DPT, GCS Dr. Lavoie holds a BS in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in 1993 and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2013. She received her GCS in 1999 and in 2015 became a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult. Dr. Lavoie has worked with a varied and dynamic older adult population for the majority of her clinical experience. She is currently a Regional Clinical Director for Genesis Rehab Services where she supports physical therapy clinicians in all aspects of clinical practice. She has extensive education and experience with clients with all aspects of cognitive impairments with a focus on Alzheimer’s Dementia. Dr. Lavoie has also authored courses and has been a dementia educator for many years.

To review the webinar Click here Registration is required

APTA Geriatrics delivered a free-webinar on Thursday, March 19 for PTs and PTAs working in academic settings who teach geriatric content and are affected by campus shutdowns related to the COVID-19. This webinar will include a sharing of knowledge and resources to promote immediate and effective online teaching resources and strategies. Academic programs are working to continuing to facilitate and promote student learning as the COVID-19 virus changes our daily routine. Discussions will include ideas to continue with labs, practicals, online test taking, and teaching strategies. This session will consist of a short presentation about known widely, available resources and will extend to the audience to share ideas.

Meet our Presenters

Mariana Wingood is currently a Program Director for Evidence in Motion where she teaches hybrid and online courses, a lecturer at the University of Vermont, and a full time PhD student. She has practiced in various settings, including orthopedic outpatient, neuromuscular outpatient, a falls clinic, skilled nursing facility, and inpatient rehab. She is an active member of the National Council on Fall Risk Awareness and Prevention, Gerontology Society of America, and Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on PA promotion among physical therapists.

Susan Wenker, PT, PhD, GCS-Emeritus is an assistant professor (CHS) in the UW-Madison Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. She earned her BS at UW-La Crosse and her Masters and PhD degrees at UW-Madison through the School of Education. She is actively involved in the APTA Geriatrics with a scholarly focus on aging adults, exercise, and PT students’ attitudes and beliefs about dementia. Additionally, she teaches the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Course, is an instructor for the Advanced Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults. She has authored several monographs and book chapters. Dr. Wenker serves on multiple committees across the UW-Madison campus and is the current Director of Education in the APTA Geratrics. Dr. Wenker received the Joan Mills award and Distinguished Educator award in 2020 from the APTA Geriatrics.

Myla “Myles” Quiben, PT, DPT, PhD, MS is a Professor and Chair at the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center the Department Chair. She is a dual-board certified clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in both Neurologic and Geriatric Physical Therapy. Interprofessional collaboration is woven into her clinical and teaching areas in cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, and clinical medicine. She is a TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, a Comprehensive Simulation Instructor though the Center for Medical Simulation. She has presented nationally and internationally on movement and functional outcomes, aging, frailty, and interprofessional education specifically at the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Institute, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Education Leadership Conference, and the Interprofessional Practice Symposium at UNTHSC. Myles serves on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, the Texas Geriatric Society, and is current Chair of the the ACAPT National Interprofessional Education Consortium (NIPEC). She serves as an APTA Clinical Instructor Trainer and is involved in committees across the professional organizations and has served as an advanced item writer for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, Geriatric Specialty Council, and American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She is a graduate of the APTA’s Education Leadership Institute and the Texas Physical Therapy Association's Tom Waugh Leadership Program. Dr. Quiben has been recognized nationally for her exemplary service and teaching and has been the recipient of APTA’s Dorothy Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching (2017), the AGPT’s Distinguished Educator Award (2018), and APTA’s Lucy Blair Service Award (2019).

Dr. Severin is a physical therapist and ABPTS certified cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist. He serves as a clinical assistant professor in the Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and is also a visiting clinical instructor at The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Department of Physical Therapy. He is currently in the dissertation stage of his Ph.D. in rehabilitation sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has extensive experience in teaching hybrid and online physical therapy and physiology curriculum at the graduate, professional, and post-professional level. Dr. Severin has been recognized as an expert educator by his peers, colleagues, and students. He was a winner of the 2019 UIC College of Applied Health Sciences Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence.

NOTE: We do NOT apply for CEU approval for Geriatrics webinars, however your state licensure may allow credits for this education activity. We do provide a certificate of attendance, which can be downloaded below. You will need to contact the agency or organization in your state, which handles your professional licensure, in order to determine whether credit is available for webinars, and without applications for approval.There is no survey to be completed for this webinar.