Course Description:

The motor task of walking is ultimately a product of the characteristics of the individual and their environment. Healthcare professionals must be mindful of all components of gait and strategically integrate appropriate challenges when targeting gait interventions. This is the third in a series of three courses designed to present geriatric gait considerations in a systematic approach. The first course is an overview of the foundations of gait, age-related changes, and postural control. The second course focuses on choosing and using evidence-based examination tools.

This course offers healthcare practitioners evidence-based interventions to enhance gait and functional mobility in aging adults. Grounded in the results of functional outcome measures, participants will explore a comprehensive range of interventions tailored to individual patient needs.

Through analysis and comparison, participants will evaluate the effectiveness of various evidence-based interventions in improving gait and functional mobility. The course emphasizes the interpretation of supporting evidence and its application to different patient populations and healthcare settings, including diverse environmental conditions.

Participants will develop the skills to create individualized intervention plans by integrating functional outcome measure results with patient-specific goals and comorbidities. The demonstrated interventions span a wide range of settings and incorporate various techniques, such as task-specific training, resistance training, and balance exercises.

Throughout the course, participants will critically evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, fostering confident clinical decision-making and informed treatment approaches. By the course’s conclusion, participants will be equipped with evidence-based strategies to optimize functional mobility and gait outcomes for aging adults, enhancing their overall quality of life.