This course will provide the participant with a framework for treating balance impairments in the home using items available in the home and technology. Use of household items and inexpensive smartphone applications offers clinicians the opportunity to provide effective and progressive home programs without cost-prohibitive barriers that purchasing "treatment" equipment poses.

By presenting the latest research regarding aquatic therapy for individuals with osteoarthritis and/ or total joint replacement, this course aims to assist the clinician in utilizing the unique properties of water to improve their patient’s outcomes. Clinical applications discussed include; aquatic interventions and exercise progressions to improve range of motion, gait, and balance. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.

This course will focus on integrating specific aquatic interventions to improve balance and decrease the risk of falling based to maximize the patient’s plan of care. Utilizing research findings and clinical pearls we will link balance tests and impairments to specific interventions for aquatic exercise and integrated home program.

This course will review which evidence-based outcome measures are supported in the skilled nursing (SNF)/long term care (LTC) facility settings as per the current research, as well as those that fall short for applicable use in this environment. Through critical inspection of these items, the participant will be able to understand the importance of the use of population-relevant outcome measures to ensure best physical therapy practice in the SNF/LTC settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.

Persistent pain conditions are seen in all settings where clinicians practice. Knowing the mechanisms of persistent pain and centralized sensitization are an important step in formulating a plan of care for patients. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.

PTs can apply evidence-based interventions to improve dementia care. This session reviews the etiology of common behaviors. Cognitive-emotion, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, and exercise interventions to reduce agitation are discussed as well as specific strategies for improving task-related engagement. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.

This discussion will provide an evidence-based update on the therapeutic and scientific effects of common myofascial interventions such as roller massage and instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization. The latest evidence behind the intervention and the potential therapeutic effects will be discussed along with suggested best practice standards. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT, PTA and AT.

When faced with limited time, resources, space, or information – how do clinicians decide the most optimal collection of balance tests for each patient? To make the best decision, therapists must consider many factors. Are you using the best decision-making process when examining a patient with imbalance? A short list of what will be covered in this course includes clinical decision-making for an imbalance examination, including factors such as: diagnosis, prognosis, personality and effect (low self efficacy, depression, agitation), cognitive impairment, reimbursement, fear of falling, and many more, Listen-in and learn how to choose the most optimal screening tools and tests for each patient!

This course provides a detailed overview of current Prospective Payment System for Medicare Part A as well as details about the Patient Driven Payment Model set to begin October 1, 2019. Concepts such as Other Medicare Required Assessments (OMRA), coding therapy minutes, student service under Part A, and case mix groups for PDPM will be reviewed.

This course will address the similarities and differences in clinical etiology, presentation and assessment of dementia, delirium and depression in older adults. Strategies to improve clinical engagement of people with cognitive and mental health issues will be discussed that can be implemented immediately in clinical practice.