The emphasis of this seminar is directed toward the multidisciplinary approach to the management of joint arthroplasty and traumatic extremity fractures. The course combines the medical and surgical and rehabilitative expertise of a nationally known highly trained physical therapist. This rich combination provides participants with a unique opportunity to see the entire spectrum of care for the patient from prevention through treatment.

The course will review the anatomy and biomechanics of the upper and lower extremities with discussion of surgical techniques for hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty and extremity fractures. Critical pathways (i.e. care plans), therapeutic treatment techniques, and rehabilitation protocols will be presented for each of these surgeries. Pre-operative, acute care, and post-discharge concerns will be addressed and examples of a precise therapeutic exercise program within each setting will be presented. Suggested protocols, sample home exercise instruction sheets, and home exercise programs along with evaluation and treatment guidelines will be given, thus providing therapists with information to improve their clinical practice related to joint arthroplasty and extremity fractures.

Susan Staples, PT, GCS
Cost: $495 – 20 Contact Hours

This seminar provides participants with specific evaluation and treatment strategies that are critical to improve outcomes for this challenging and rapidly growing patient population. Included are comprehensive strategies for patients with dementia that address gait disorders, balance and falls, ADL’s, mobility, hip fractures, strength/ROM, common eating and nutritional problems, cardiopulmonary and pain issues, seating and positioning, restraints, management of behavioral problems, sensory stimulation, and innovative dementia programs.

Participants will also gain a thorough understanding of the different types of acute and chronic disorders of dementia with specific communication and approach strategies for success. Recent clinical research is included to provide evidence-based guidance on effective evaluation and treatment strategies. The seminar format includes lecture with discussion and hands on practice of evaluation and treatment strategies. Videos of patients with dementia and case studies are used to facilitate the integration of the strategies covered in this comprehensive course. Documentation strategies for successful reimbursement are included for this patient population that is closely reviewed by intermediaries. Challenges in providing care for patients with dementia will be discussed for all settings with innovative solutions.

Wendy K. Anemaet, PT, PhD, GCS, CWS, GTC, COS-C
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

This seminar provides therapists with up-to-date information on the often-underutilized intervention of strength training. Through lecture, demonstration and case applications, participants will gain a clear understanding of the basis of strengthening, design and progression of training programs, and special considerations for strength training in the older population. Interactive sessions offer the opportunity to learn and practice specific evaluation techniques for immediate implementation in the practice setting. Forums on specific strengthening exercises allow therapists to share and take home practical exercises for training the upper extremity, lower extremity and trunk with a range of resistive exercise equipment. An analysis of the precautions, contraindications, and program components for patients with a variety of rehabilitation and medical diagnoses provides a literature-based overview of approaches to strength training for these populations. Participants will expand their knowledge to design, implement, evaluate, and modify effective strengthening programs confidently for the older population.

Steven H. Tepper, PhD, PT
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

This evidenced based course will describe the medical disorders, cover reliable and valid examination tools for understanding the level of impairment/functional limitation and give currently accepted treat ment options. A combination of lecture, continual participant interaction, laboratory of clinical examination and case study approach will be utilized. Utilizing clinical signs/symptoms for progressive rehabilitation interventions and their potential outcomes will be covered. Prevention of these common pathologies will be covered as well.

James C. Wall, BSc, MSc, Med, PhD
Cost: $495 – 20 Contact Hours

The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with the most up-to-date information on gait and balance assessment and treatment for the geriatric patient. The major changes commonly seen in the elderly, that can contribute to problems in the area of gait and balance and the subsequent loss of independence, will be covered. The seminar format is lecture with demonstration that explores evaluation tools, techniques to objectively measure functional mobility tasks, and treatment protocols designed for older adults. Using a case study format, participants will become familiar with numerous assessment tools to assess gait and balance in patients with a variety of diagnoses. Evidence based treatment strategies and protocols will be covered along with the advantages and disadvantages. The extensive handout, which contains current medical references, will provide detailed evaluation forms, outcome measures, suggested protocols and sample home exercises.

Mark Nelson MPT
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

This seminar provides a current update on the latest information on rehabilitation in the acute care setting. As in all practice settings, acute care rehabilitation is continuously evolving. From the various entry points into the acute care setting to discharge, rehabilitation plays an integral role. Therapists are being relied upon more and more to make significant contributions to the medical team, and frequently are the determining factor in hospital length of stay. This seminar is designed to give clinical information for therapists working in, or returning to working in the acute care setting. In addition, the seminar will offer practical tips and higher level problem solving skills that will benefit therapists working in this setting. The seminar will utilize lecture and case study to discuss the role of physical therapy in the acute care setting. Current literature review will be presented to lend strength to decision making in this challenging environment.

NICOLE L. STOUT MPT, CLT-LANA
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

This two day course will review diagnosis and staging of cancer. Medical and surgical management of select cancer diagnoses will be reviewed as they are relevant to physical therapists. Emphasis will be on screening and systems review to highlight the need for accurate differential diagnosis for cancer identifi cation and with regard to common impairments and functional limitations in patients who have a history of cancer. Current evidence-based rehabilitation interventions for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer, in survivorship from cancer or facing metastatic disease will be highlighted including exercise prescription, contradictions andprecautions with exercise and modalities. A unique, problem-based format, utilizing case studies will be introduced with group interaction for client evaluation and development of plan of care.

Janene Barber, PT, GTC
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

Do you feel at times that you have designed and delivered the best gait and balance program and yet your patients still have some problems with their balance?

This course goes beyond all you have learned about the effects of speed, strength and range of motion limitations as causes for balance dysfunction. You will leave with an in depth knowledge and skill in the postural dyscontrol, somatosensation and vestibular arenas. The instructor has taught and treated extensively in this area with astounding results with her patients and clinicians. Her skills in this area are unparralled. Take home innovative useable evaluation and treatment techniques that will dramatically change your practice. You and your patients deserve to receive this cutting edge information.

Carole Schunk , PT, PsyD
Cost: $495.00 – 20 Contact Hours

Home health is a unique physical therapy practice setting. Not only are there clinical issues but being in the patient’s home environment makes the delivery of service very different than an outpatient or inpatient facility. The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with both clinical information relevant to those being treated in their home in additional to the psychological aspects of dealing with families and caregivers. The clinical aspect of care will include evaluation tools for balance, function, cognitive ability and environmental hazards, presented to allow the therapist to develop an appropriate plan of care. Research on the effectiveness of a variety of exercise programs in relation to falls, mobility and function will be presented. Social dynamics in the home are very infl uential in patient outcomes and will be discussed through case histories and suitable treatment approaches including motivation and compliance enhancement. Presentation of home modifi cation and adaptive equipment for safety will enhance the therapist’s ability to positively infl uence the decision for an individual to remain in their home. To make it happen reimbursement and regulatory issues will be included as they relate to equipment and measurement of outcomes through appropriate understanding of the OASIS. Given the changes in the population and the trend to keep older adults independent in their home the information presented in this seminar will facilitate therapists intervention in this multi-factorial often complex treatment environment known as home health.

Cost: $149.00 ($139 plus $10 S & H) – 10 Contact Hours

Evidence Based manual Therapy for the Geriatric Patient in designed to instruct the student in eleven manual therapy techniques that have been proven to be effective in at least one randomized controlled study. The techniques described are safe for the geriatric patient. As practicing clinicians we are seeing a growing number of geriatric patients, often leading active lives. The addition of manual therapy to some of the other techniques we use for our geriatric patient will allow us to better our clinical practice skills. It is essential to use, when possible, techniques that have been shown to be effective through structured research studies.

Cost: $295.00 ($285 plus $10 S & H) – 20 Contact Hours

Improving mobility in the older person is designed for the rehabilitation specialist who has focused their career on treating the growing geriatric population. The goal of this course is to assist the therapist in using structured methods of examining the tasks of functional mobility, breaking down the components of movement, and implementing the appropriate treatment where the specific patient deficits are noted. The information for completing the examination is broken down into sections specific to improving mobility of the older person. Each section is part of a continuum to assist in designing a systematic approach to rehabilitation. In addition there are functional testing tools provided to allow for standardized diagnostic measures to implement into your evaluation. These testing tools provide information regarding the patient’s safety and level of function, and allow you to monitor the patients’ progress. There are various tools, each of each appropriate for one of multiple patient populations. It is our hope that after completion of this course you will be able to appropriately evaluate the limitations in function of the older adult and design an implement the most beneficial treatments. You will also have the tools to monitor your patient’s progress by using functional and valid tools of measurement.

Cost: $295.00 ($285 plus $10 S & H) – 20 Contact Hours

Documentation and Functional Assessment are the present and future tools of the rehabilitation specialist. As the public and third party payers question the efficacy and cost effectiveness of rehabilitation, appropriate documentation will become more important. The goal of this course is to provide immediate, useful information to the rehabilitation professional that can be used in any setting. The purpose is not to increase the written workload of the professional, but rather to promote a more concise and succinct use for functional tools and documentation. This course also explains the appeal process and provides the opportunity to prepare and defend a case. The participant will complete the home study course with skills for preparing concise and complete notes that will promote reimbursement and improved patient care as well as arm them to defend themselves in the unfortunate event of a denial. The presentation style will help the participant to improve clinical skills by practicing and describing evaluation findings and treatment strategies. This course incorporates the latest in federal and state regulations related to the reimbursement in a home study format. This engaging course in corporates homestudy with a strong foundation of skills for preparing reports that will promote reimbursement and improved patient care. The homestudy information is presented in a style that will help the participant to improve clinical skills by means of practicing and describing clinical strategies.

Cost: $160.00 ($150 plus $10 S & H) – 5 Contact Hours

Rehab Roadie takes you on a fun filled continuing education journey into the world of home health. Using call-in questions, Dr. Carol Schunk and her co pilot and back seat driver, Dr. Carole Lewis, respond with evidence-based research and information related to treating patients in their home environment. Topics include exercise, documentation, gait, psychology and treatment tips. Therapists can maximize their car time by earning CEU’s, improving their clinical skills and have a few laughs all while driving to see the next patient. Join us for maximum learning entertainment as a “Rehab Roadie, Ride and Learn!”

Cost: $295.00 ($285 plus $10 S & H) – 20 Contact Hours

This is a comprehensive course, based on the reference book, Aging: The Health-Care Challenge by Carole Bernstein Lewis, PhD, PT, GCS, MSG, MPA. Dr. Lewis is well-known in the field of geriatrics as being one of the leaders in education and research, being extensively published, President of Physical Therapy Services of Washington, DC, Inc, editor of several geriatric rehabilitation publications, and founder of and featured lecturer for GREAT Seminars and Books, Inc. In this home study course, the participants will have the opportunity to study the included reference book at home and at their own pace. This excellent reference text, currently in its fourth edition, covers a wide variety of topics that are directly applicable to clinical practice, and is a must-read for any rehabilitation professional involved in the field of geriatrics. It is divided into three sections: Part I, “Theories and Psychological Aspects of Aging”; Part II, “Physical Aspects of Aging”; and Part III, “External Aspects of Aging: The Current Status.” Each of these sections contain clinically-centered chapters, written by experts in the specific area of gerontology. These chapters describe normal and pathological changes, as well as examination and intervention strategies frequently utilized in geriatric rehabilitation. An hour is allotted for each of the 20 chapters.

Special Price: $89.00 ($79 plus $10 S & H) – 5 Contact Hours

Ethical Decision Making in the Care of the Older Adult is designed for the health care provider who recognizes the special ethical considerations that working with the elderly population presents. The goal of this course is to provide the participant with a structured ethical decision making schema that can be applied across a variety of situations. The case based approach to the material permits the application of the decision making rubric.

The material focuses initially on the general background of ethical terminology and an ethical decision making model with general application. It then presents specific areas of concentration that are relevant to all populations but addressed from the perspective of the special challenges presented to the health care provider working with older adults. The role of the multidisciplinary team, the effect of care, the influence of culture, alternatives to traditional care, the special considerations of research and finally the troubling issue of elder abuse and neglect are addressed. In each subject area cases are presented that permit the application of the decision making process.

At the completion of this course we hope that you will recognize the ethical challenges that confront us as health care providers working with older adults and be able to consistently apply a decision making process to the unique circumstances presented in each case.