Optimal Movement Strategies for Seniors

Optimal Movement Strategies for Seniors

Linking Functional Exercise & Dynamic Integration for Improved Outcomes

Course Description

When working with our senior population, we have much to do in a limited period of time. This course will help you maximize your time and improve patient outcomes through exercise prescription and neuromuscular facilitation techniques that are more contemporary, informative and functionally relevant. Gain fresh new perspectives on progressive transfer training, balance and postural improvements, gait and stairs facilitation, skin protection, bending and reaching. Content features Dynamic Integrative Movement Principles & Specific Motor Control Exercise (SMCE), providing creative and innovative new ways of improving functional movement and independence in your patients. You will experientially explore Integrative Movement Patterns and contrast these with common, dysfunctional patterns, then learn to utilize cutting-edge teaching strategies and concepts to progressively facilitate specific motor skill acquisition. Use these Optimal Movement Strategies with orthopedic surgeries or injuries, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal complaints and the “weak and wobbly”—in the hospital, SNF, and home health settings or while working with active seniors in outpatient care.

Course Objectives

By the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• List three key differences between Static & Dynamic Integration exercise
• Explain the concept and the importance of Teaching to the Test—linking therapeutic activities and exercise to Medicare guidelines to reconcile payer requirements with a patient-first practice model
• Define Global & Differentiated movement patterns and give two examples each from lower extremities, upper extremities and spine
• List and explain a key characteristic and a key benefit of Specific Motor Control Exercise; Pattern Specificity and Pattern Recognition
• Explain the benefits of Teaching to the Tools— using environmental affordances and everyday tools to make exercise functional—use of bowls & broomsticks, stools & stairs, towels, sinks and more
• In prescribing exercise for seniors, list one benefit each for the following teaching techniques—reciprocating movements, application of constraints, change of venue and the goldilocks principle
• Demonstrate Language & Manual Cueing for optimal movement training through partner observation and partner practice

Course Outline

Lab sessions include experiential movement, partner observations, facilitation techniques, modifications, discussion of clinical relevance and documentation considerations.

Day 1

7:45-8:00—Registration & Snacks

8:00-9:45—Introduce Concepts: Senior Specific Interventions

• The Medicare Challenge: Documentation Requirements & Treating Effectively
• Multi-Tasking: Teaching to the Test & Providing Appropriate Care
• Principles of Dynamic Integration: Global & Differentiated Patterns

9:45-10:00—Morning Break

10:00-12:00—Lab I: Horizontal Movement Patterns

• Training the Hips to Move the Pelvis: Supine and Side-Lying
• Integrating Upper and Lower Body: Log Rolls and Rotation
• Link to Functional Context: Rolling, Bed Mobility and Skin Care

12:00-1:00—Lunch on your own

1:00-3:00—Lab II: Sitting Movement Patterns

• AP Balance Reactions: Hip Flexor/Extensor Training and Trunk Control
• L/R Balance Reactions: Early Pelvic Force Couple Training and Rib Mobility
• Link to Functional Context: Sitting Posture, Breathing, Reaching and Skin Care

3:00-3:15—Afternoon Break

3:15-5:00—Lab III: Transitional Movements

• Transferring Weight to Feet: Back Extension and Hip Flexion
• Transitioning Sit to Stand: Hip Extension with Stable Back
• Link to Function: Sitting and Standing Posture, Bending, Transfers

Day 2

8:00-8:15—Review

8:15-10:00—Lab IV: Standing, Weight-Shifts & Turning

• Transferring Weight L/R and Front/Back: Intermediate Pelvic Force Couples
• Trunk Control and Balance Reactions: Integrating Upper & Lower Body
• Link to Function: Balance/Fall Prevention, Hip & Knee Stressors, Chores

10:00-10:15—Morning Break

10:15-12:15—Lab V: Stepping Movements

• Single Leg Stance and Stepping: Facilitating 3D Hip Competence
• Diagonal Bending and the Texas Two-Step: Advanced Pelvic Force Couples
• Link to Function: Balance/Fall Prevention, Floor Transfers, Gait/Stairs/Curbs

12:15-1:15—Lunch on your own

1:15-3:15—Lab VI: Upper Extremity Themes

• Integrating Arms, Shoulder Girdles and the Torso: Getting Ribs Involved
• Upper Extremity Internal and External Rotation Patterns
• Link to Function: Balance/Fall Prevention, Reaching/Lifting/Carrying

3:15-3:30—Afternoon Break

3:30-5:00—VII: Continued UE Themes and Wrap Up

• Upper Extremity IR/ER Patterns & Fine-Tuning Progressions
• Review Objectives, Questions & Answers

Register for this course