The goal of this 8-week, faculty-led, online course is to provide physical and occupational therapists with knowledge and skills in managing older adults with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions that impact their movement and function. Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a leading cause of disability in older adults. Lower extremity arthritic conditions and aging spine problems such as lumbar spinal stenosis frequently result in decreased fitness levels and increased fall risk. This course will focus on evidence-based treatments to address these problems for the older adult. 

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

• Examine the implications of physiological and pathological aging on the musculoskeletal system in older adults in across practice settings
• Complete an evaluation for an older adult patient with musculoskeletal impairments to address the patient’s movement system impairments
• Apply best, evidence-informed practices to examination, evaluation, and intervention for different orthopedic pathologies and conditions to promote enhanced therapy outcomes
• Examine the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and communication when managing patients with orthopedic conditions to promote best rehabilitation outcomes
• Determine a PICO question related to a patient with an orthopedic condition to enhance their knowledge base 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 management of older adults with orthopedic conditions from this course 

Evidence in Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 6839. This distance learning-interactive activity is offered at 35 Contact hours/ 3.5 CEUs Intermediate, OT Service Delivery/Foundational Knowledge. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures. Shape Description automatically generated with low confidence