PT Interventions for Gait Deviations in Older Adults

Course Code: REL-RTS-0-PIGDOA

Hours: 1.5

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026

Learning Objectives:
Describe the correlation between gait speed and functional status in older adults.
Identify at least three common gait deviations in older adults and the associated underlying impairments.
Determine at least three types of impairment-oriented and task-oriented interventions to improve gait deviations based on patient presentation.

Outline:

Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Evaluation of Gait Deviations

Why It Matters

Gait Deviations

Evaluation

Gait Analysis

Outcome Measures

Gait Speed

Review

Summary

Section 3: Age-Related Changes and Gait Deviations

Age-Related Changes

Impact on Gait

Slow Gait Speed

Increased Step Width

Decreased Step and Stride Length

Limited Foot Clearance

Decreased Hip Extension

Changes in Posture

Poor Gait Adaptability

Review

Summary

Section 4: Impairment-Oriented Exercises

Overview

Impairment Oriented (IO) Exercises

Increased Step Width

Decreased Step and Stride Length

Limited Foot Clearance

Decreased Hip Extension

Changes in Posture

Review

Summary

Section 5: Task Oriented (TO) Exercise

Task-Oriented Exercise

Stepping Patterns

Walking Patterns

Progressing Task-Oriented Exercise

Phillip

Review

Summary

Section 6: Other Contributing Factors

Overview

Psychosocial Issues

Pain

Recommending Assistive Devices

Review

Summary

Section 7: Conclusion

Summary

Course Contributor

References

Instructor: Nicole Fogarty, PT, DPT

Nicole Fogarty holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northeastern University. She has experience treating patients with cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, and neurological impairments in the inpatient setting. She also has experience in outpatient orthopedics. She has additional training in medical screening, lumbopelvic examination and treatment, and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Nicole enjoys using her clinical experience and interest in current rehabilitation research as a Physical Therapy writer for Relias.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Intermediate level Physical Therapist; in the following settings: Rehabilitation Settings.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.