By Miranda White, DPT, with Ascend Rehabilitation
One of my passions as a physical therapist (PT) for Ascend Rehab – outside of direct patient care – is working with students and clinicians to promote and advance the future of geriatric care. Over the past six years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching a learning module on “Fall Prevention” to fellow physical therapists (PTs).
Each time I prepare for this presentation, I start with a literature review to ensure I am promoting the latest evidence-based practice. That allows me to keep up with current practice as a clinician, with the goal of providing the best possible care for patients, because patients and families want to know that they are receiving quality care.
So how did I end up being qualified to teach patients and professionals alike on the topic of “Fall Prevention?”
In May 2013, I had just earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree and I was eager and excited, (fresh out of my graduate program), and I knew I wanted to specifically work with older adults. Becoming a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) was my personal career goal – to demonstrate this dedication toward promoting, maintaining and restoring mobility for older adults, just like a geriatrician is a doctor who specializes in caring for older adults with complex medical needs.
I sought out a post-professional program and applied to the University of Minnesota (UMN) Geriatric Residency program to advance my knowledge and skills and prepare to sit for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Geriatric Certified Specialist exam. Most importantly, I wanted to have mentorship and support along the way. Residents receive four hours of 1:1 mentoring each week for a minimum of 150 hours throughout a 12-month program.
Ascend Rehab partners with the UMN to offer clinical site placement, and for me, it launched a successful career that now continues into my twelfth year with the company. Ongoing professional involvement also allows me, and other dedicated Ascend Rehab PT staff, to continue serving as specialists/experts from the local community of therapists to prepare future clinicians to advance their degrees, and most importantly, to enhance patient care and improve quality of life for seniors.
The didactic curriculum for the residency program consists of 45 modules – contributing to a minimum of 300 educational hours – highlighting different topics pertinent to the care and management of older adults.
The “Falls Prevention” module is just one example; it focuses on fall risk screening, assessment and intervention. Fall prevention is multifactorial, meaning there are multiple health, physical function and personal factors that contribute to fall risk, anything from medication management to visual acuity to muscle strength to footwear choice to environmental hazards to name a few. It also requires structured exercise interventions that are individually tailored to challenge patients to reach the optimal dose of strength, balance and gait training.
Suffice it to say, we know our stuff! The Ascend Rehab PT team is here to help you achieve this!
Miranda White, DPT, with Ascend Rehabilitation is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS), Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA), Credentialed Balance and Falls Professional.