The goal of this 8-week, faculty-led, online course is to provide physical and occupational therapists with the skills required to manage balance and falls within the older adult population. This course will include an abbreviated review of the aging balance system, build upon the existing knowledge of the fall risk factors and balance performance, and provide a framework for evidence-informed rehabilitation interventions for these conditions to optimize outcomes for management of the older adult patient. Learners will be able to synthesize current literature as it applies to clinical management of this population to elevate their existing clinical practice.

By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to:

• Examine the implications of physiological and pathological aging on the balance system in older adults in across practice settings.   
• Complete an evaluation for an older adult patient with balance impairments to address the patient’s fall risk and personal goals   
• Apply best, evidence-informed practices to examination, evaluation, and intervention for different pathologies and conditions resulting in impaired balance control to promote enhanced therapy outcomes   
• Examine the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and communication when managing patients at risk of falls to promote best rehabilitation outcomes   
• Determine a PICO question related to a patient with elevated fall risk to enhance their knowledge based on an existing patient case on their current case load   
• Employ a cohesive plan of care for an existing patient on their caseload incorporating all applicable learned elements related to balance and falls management from this course 

Evidence in Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID #0000006729 This Distance Learning-Interactive course is offered for 2.4 CEUs/24 contact hours at the intermediate educational level in the category/categories of OT service delivery and foundation knowledge. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.