Fall Prevention and the Missing SLP Link

Literature over the last 2 decades has shown an obvious link between motor function and cognition. Emerging data suggest therapies designed to improve specific aspects of cognitive function, may also improve gait, increase use of compensatory strategies, and reduce fall risk. Falls and fall-related injuries are a huge concern and costly burden to individuals, society, and healthcare systems. Despite the costly and physical consequences of falls, common interventions and 'fall prevention programs' have been shown to be inadequate or ineffective. This evidence shines a new light on the SLPs ability to target functional safety goals through cognitive therapy to change the outcomes of patient safety. The evidence-based techniques reviewed in this course are applicable to patients with fall concerns who mobilize in any way and/or participate in ADLs, including patients with Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological diagnoses. This course focuses heavily on evidence-based cognitive therapy techniques to improve patient safety; along with education essentials for training of staff/family as a part of your plan of care. Discussion will include how to target these skills without duplicating services with PT/OT. Course material will cover goal writing for best practice standards and avoiding insurance denials. Specific patient examples and documentation from referral to discharge will be covered. Steps to initiate and/or increase the success of a current fall prevention program will be described. Barriers and challenges will also be reviewed. This course is applicable for therapists who:

• treat patients with cognitive and fall concerns who mobilize in any way and/or participate in ADLs 
• treat patients suffering from Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological diagnoses
• are looking to expand their caseloads in ethical, functional, and person centered ways
• are interested in targeting personally relevant goals in cognitive therapy
• are integrating a multidisciplinary falls prevention team

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ATTENDANCE:

1. Attend as part of the LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE in Gulf Breeze, Florida - Studio audience seats are limited - so register today!
2. Attend via LIVE STREAM from anywhere around the world. Live stream participants will login to access the event from their computer.

NOTE:

• This live event is streamed in real time. 
• Course agenda is in Central time, please adjust for your time zone
• Registrants who attend the live broadcast will be able to interact with instructor.
• All registrants will have access to the broadcast recording for 14 days.
• A group may view the course together, however each attendee must be individually registered in order to receive CE credit.

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COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:

• Attend/view entire course
• Pass multiple choice quiz (80% min score)
• Complete online course evaluation

CEUs:

• SLPs - this course is registered with ASHA as Blended Learning. ASHA CEUs may be earned by attending live, viewing the recording, or a combination of both.
• OTs - Participants who need live hours for state license renewal must attend in real time yet, will still have access to the recording for 14 days.

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Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify and describe fall risks
• Describe the link between cognition and falls
• Define the cognitive domains of attention, executive function, problem solving, memory, and visual perception and how each relates to fall risks; both a broad review and within specific populations
• Develop goals and individualized treatment targeting attention, executive function, memory, metacognition, and visual perception to reduce fall risk
• Describe common concerns and practices for age related cognitive disorders and dementia
• Provide individualized safety education to patients, family, and staff
• Write patient and discipline specific goals
• Describe the specific differences between SLP, PT, and OT goals and documentation when working
• Develop and implement a fall prevention program specific to facility needs

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Course Instructor(s)

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Course Agenda

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