Typical therapy approaches used for rehabilitation of adults with cognitive deficits due to brain injury or stroke target primary cognitive sub-skills (memory, orientation, attention, etc.) in isolation.  Therapy methods normally include tabletop activities, computer training and pencil/paper tasks to improve underlying cognitive impairment.  However, the learning associated with these methods does not always generalize to the world outside the clinic. Patients often become frustrated with their lack of progress or find themselves unable to perform necessary tasks once they return to their home environment.

Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Dementia Patients

As our world’s population ages, the incidence of dementia and other dementing illnesses continues to grow. It is important, as more health care facilities create dementia-specific programming, that practitioners learn about the disease process and special considerations for care and treatment planning. By improving the quality of care given to clients with dementia, providers can recognize predictors of cognitive transitions, prevent challenging behaviors and successfully intervene at key points of cognitive decline. With the mandate to decrease physical and chemical restraints, practitioners must learn alternate interventions to help clients keep themselves and others from harm. Due to the large demands of OBRA guidelines, most care has had to focus strictly on personal hygiene and nutritional intake. Clients and their family members need activity intervention, social support and programming and measurement of not only cognition, but also cognitive performance. With growing demands to utilize evidence-based practice, health care professionals also have a responsibility to employ tools and measures to gauge the client’s level of dementia, cognitive performance and independent living skills.

Strength Training Principles that Produce Results

Advances in technology have made our lives more convenient and unfortunately more sedentary.  As a result Americans are losing strength and range of motion at an alarming rate.  This is particularly true of aging Americans.  Studies indicate that Americans are becoming less functional at younger and younger ages due to lack of fitness, obesity and lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  Many rehab professionals may not be fully aware of strength training techniques and cautions which could ultimately benefit their patients and clients.

This essential one-day seminar will separate fact from fiction in regards to strength training.  The practical component will take a look at traditional as well as non traditional exercises for the upper body, lower body and core.  Strength assessments will be presented and performed as well as exercise analysis and technique.  Techniques for minimizing the stress at joints will be given and common errors in execution will be discussed as well as simple solutions for improving form.  Questions that often come up when designing strength training programs will be covered, such as:  How many sets, reps and what intensity should I use for different goals such as strength, power, endurance, and hypertrophy?  How do I determine how long I should rest between sets?   There are so many different approaches to strength training how do I know which one is right for my patient?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of various types of resistance equipment?  How can I design an effective strength training program if I do home health care?  Attend this indispensable seminar to learn the answers to all these questions and more!

Enhancing Strength, Flexibility and Function in the Adult with Spinal Conditions

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 28 million Americans (80 percent of them are women) suffer from the debilitating effects of osteoporosis while millions more experience the same weakness, functional limitations and diminished quality of life associated with other degenerative conditions. The problem becomes more prevalent as the population of older adults increases. However, with appropriate nutrition, exercise and guidance from well-trained professionals, adults can live more productive, active and enjoyable lives. This seminar will provide you with insight and understanding into some of the physical changes occurring in the spines of older adults. Several degenerative conditions will be discussed along with how to address them through strength training and postural exercises. You will learn how to empower your clients so they can regain their strength, posture and confidence. New approaches and exercises will be discussed, demonstrated and practiced, allowing attendees to immediately adopt and adapt them with their clients.

The World Health Organization has coined the years 2000-2010 the “Bone and Joint Decade.” Joint arthroplasty is expected to double by the year 2020.The rise in joint replacement surgery coupled with advances in cutting edge surgical techniques such as Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) and less invasive procedures has allowed the Orthopedist the ability for precise alignment and sparring of tissue.The question for us as clinicians is: Are we educationally ready to provide current and progressive rehabilitation for the rising joint replacement population? The joint replacement patient today is quite different than the traditional patient we all learned about in school.We learned all those precautions and restrictions with the ultimate goal being to rehabilitate in order for the patient to dress, groom and perform self-care. Today the “Baby Boomer” joint replacement patient has a higher expectation out of their rehabilitation provider.Today’s “Boomers” want to use their “new and bionic” prosthesis to get down on the floor and play with the grandkids, ski and hike.Their desire to remain active has rehab implications for clinicians in all settings.Understanding modern technology and being able to confidently communicate that to the patient is extremely important in the total care of the patient.

This highly interactive seminar will provide the attendee the evidenced-based knowledge to answer those often on-the-spot questions by our patients such as “what should I not do?” or “when can I hike or play tennis again?” Also examined will be surgery from traditional to cutting edge, in addition to evidenced-based rehab and return to activity guidelines.This one of a kind seminar is a MUST for all clinicians who work with total joint patients.

Outpatient Therapy CPT Coding, Billing and Documentation for Rehabilitation Reimbursement

Therapeutic Yoga: Bridging Ancient Practices with Traditional Therapy Techniques

Description

In this day and age, health care providers are often presented with developing treatment plans for very diverse caseloads. Finding truly dynamic treatment techniques that can travel with you to all types of settings and populations can be a daunting search for health care providers. Many providers seek a creative boost to meet their client's unique needs while having fun and remaining motivated at the same time.

"Yoga" is an ancient philosophy that has been practiced for thousands of years that literally means the union of body, mind and spirit. In recent years, yoga has not only become a household word, but a household practice with classes popping up everywhere. In fact, it has become the most widely practiced exercise system in the world. Studies show the great physiological, neurological and emotional benefits yoga imparts.

This one-day seminar will give you basic tools and skills to incorporate yoga into any practice to meet therapeutic goals. You will learn how to use simple tools, props, equipment and toys to enhance the effectiveness and meaningfulness of yoga as part of your treatment plan. Techniques for specific ailments, diseases and disabilities will be covered. You will be offered the opportunity to test your new skills with group brainstorming and planning. Finally, you will learn proper documentation and billing techniques for maximum reimbursement. Attendees will find that this course is interactive, hands-on and fun!

Orthopedic Massage Techniques for Cervical Pain
 
Muscle releasing and neuromuscular massage techniques for the neck, upper back, and shoulder.

Description

Thousands of Americans suffer from episodes of acute or persistent neck pain each year as a result of injury, strain, overuse, aging and other factors. The cervical spine is amazingly complex, supporting the head weighing up to 15 pounds while moving in several directions. Its range of motion is capable of 90 degrees of flexion and extension, 180 degrees of rotation and almost 120 degrees of tilt to either shoulder. No other region of the spine has such range of motion. This combination of complexity and mobility make the neck susceptible to pain and injury. Participants in this interactive one-day seminar will learn and practice simple myofascial and neuromuscular techniques that can be incorporated into existing routines and treatment protocols to effectively treat many common cervical and thoracic region conditions, including chronic headaches, stiff neck, frozen shoulder and arm pain , thoracic pain and forward head posture.

Effective Examination and Treatment Techniques for the Foot and Ankle

Description

This seminar covers performing seating and mobility evaluations as well as the skills to incorporate assistive technology into therapeutic practice. Evaluation and assessment techniques and procedures will be presented, including common diagnoses.

An estimated 1.6 million Americans utilize assistive technology to achieve improved independence. For health care workers, the responsibility of evaluating clients, determining needs and seeking out the most appropriate form of assistive technology, such as powered mobility, augmentative or assistive communication technology or seating systems, can often be quite intimidating.

This one-day seminar is designed to provide health care professionals and therapists with a working knowledge of performing seating and mobility evaluations as well as the skills to incorporate assistive technology into therapeutic practice to increase their client's independence. Evaluation and assessment techniques and procedures will be presented, including common diagnoses which often warrant alternative mobility, controls or other forms of assistive technology. Information regarding a variety of mobility bases, seating and position options will be reviewed, as well as the abundance of features which may be obtained to increase the client's overall functional independence. Funding sources will be identified, and participants will receive detailed instruction regarding the development of letters of medical necessity, as well as key elements to include in such documents.

In addition, this seminar will serve as an excellent review course for therapists interested in taking the Assistive Technology Practitioner examination via RESNA. The ATP examination will provide the therapist with an abundance of information on examination design and content, complete with sample review questions. For those interested in sitting for the ATP examination, this course is a must!