Course Description:

As our population ages, the incidence of injuries and even deaths from falling is rising. What can we do to address this issue as health care providers? Our interventions can make a difference. Identify the physiological aspects of balance and how the aging process affects balance. Review of the epidemiology of falls, fall risk factors in the aging population, and changes with aging. Recognize components of balance, and discuss how the aging process alters balance components over time. Learn evidence-based, reliable methods of balance examination. Therapeutic interventions including exercise and functional activities to promote balance and reduce falls are demonstrated for your lab practice. Review current evidence that indicates the effectiveness of the balance interventions, and recommend program design to achieve functional outcomes for balance rehabilitation in the elderly.