Keeping Baby Boomers on their Feet: Quick ‘n Easy Balance Exams and Fall Prevention Insights

Course Description

Explore a rapid review of fast and easy ways to examine elders to analyze multicomponent aspects of balance and determine effective interventions to build balance and prevent falls.  Select reliable and valid methods of assessment to determine falls risk and design appropriate balance and exercise training programs for geriatric clients.

Review the physiological aspects of balance and how the aging process affects balance.  Identify risk factors for falls and include testing of the normal components of balance to personalize interventions for individuals.  Interventions including exercise and functional activities to promote balance and reduce falls are described.  Discuss current evidence on effectiveness of fall prevention interventions presented and make recommendations for program design to achieve functional outcomes for people with balance deficits.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1.    Explain the physiological components of balance and normal strategies to maintain balance in elders.

2.    List risk factors that contribute to falls risk in elders.

3.    Perform and interpret results of evidence-based balance exams to determine falls risk in elderly persons.

4.    Design interventions to reduce the risk of falls in elderly populations based on current evidence.

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Intermediate

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to poll questions asked throughout the webinar.