Understanding the Vestibular System to Improve Balance and Reduce Falls in Older Adults, Part 1

Understanding the Vestibular System to Improve Balance and Reduce Falls in Older Adults, Part 1 is organized by ContinuingEducation.com - OnCourse Learning Corporation.

Course Originally Released on: 9/19/2011
Date of Most Recent Review: 9/9/2016
Course Termination/Update Date: 9/9/2019

Accreditation:
This course is credentialed for: Physical Therapy (1.00 Hour(s))

This course has been approved by:
The MD State Board of PT Examiners for 0.1 CEU for 06/01/15 to 06/01/19

Course Description :
Because the first of the baby boomers reached 65 years in 2011, healthcare practitioners can expect a greater number of older patients referred to therapy for dizziness, falls, or fall-related injuries. When completing healthcare screens, it is important for practitioners to identify patients who have a history of falls or are at risk for falls, as many have experienced multiple fall episodes. The strongest risk factors for patient falls are a history of previous falls or strength, gait, or balance impairments. In addition, the number of medications that a patient takes or the use of specific classes of medications are considered to be strong risk factors. A patient’s balance confidence also influences the risk for falls. Balance is defined as the ability to control and maintain one’s center of mass within one’s base of support. Three major systems are involved in the control of balance: the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems.

Course Objectives :
The goal of this vestibular system continuing education program is to improve physical therapists’ knowledge about vestibular dysfunction and balance retraining with older adults. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to:
• Identify the body’s systems that contribute to static and dynamic balance
• Describe the anatomy of the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems
• Compare and contrast various types of vestibular dysfunction