Geriatric SIG: Lessons learned from the SAFE – how to elevate testing and treatment at every level
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This session will be geared toward any physical therapist engaged in treating adults aged 50 and over. While the course stems from the foundation of the older athlete, the content should inspire therapists who care for older adults at every level. Course content will review the components of the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), a tool developed for testing fitness (cardiovascular, muscular, flexibility, balance) in high-functioning older athletes. Findings from the SAFE will be presented in the context of healthy aging strategies. Prevention, education, and basic treatment strategies will address the older athlete with integration of concepts to address the “typically” aging older adult. A discussion of the physical therapists’ role in addressing optimal function for all older adults will be included with attention to concepts of ageism and motivation. Discussion and questions are encouraged.
Presented by
Becca D Jordre PT, DPT, PhD
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults
Cert. Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Jordre is a professor of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota (USD) where she has held a faculty position for the past 16 years. She is the creator of the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), a tool utilized for testing cardiovascular, muscular, flexibility, and balance fitness in older athletes. She introduced the SAFE to the National Senior Games Association in 2011. https://nsga.com/healthygames/
As a result of this session the learner will be able to:
- Discuss the Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), what it tests and why it was developed.
- Compare and contrast the similarities and differences seen between the typically aging older adult and the older competitive athlete.
- Identify key concepts in exercise and education that stem from older athlete research and how they can be applied to older patients at various levels of fitness.
