How it Works

Each monograph will be 16 to 28 pages in length and will require 4 to 6 hours to complete. Course registrants receive all monographs together along with a final exam, answer sheet, and registration form for continuing education units. Exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, based on the material in the monographs.  Registrants must complete the exam and return the forms within 3 months after the course retires (see the “available through” date).   The Section will award a certificate of completion to those who score 70% or higher on the exam. 

Dates: Available through December 2013. You can take the exam any time after receiving the course to receive your credit: all exams must be received before March 2014.

Description: The Section on Geriatrics if pleased to present Volume 4 of the Geriatric Home Study Course. Course topics have been complied based upon readers' interest and feedback. In addition to this, the series is the first to focus on women's health as it pertains to the older adult. The authors in this series have linked theory to practice across the spectrum of care and provide practical insights through case studies.

Educational Credit: 30 Contact Hours 

Topics & Authors:

• Editor: Sue Wenker
• Topics and Authors:
  • Electrically Powered Mobility Devices and Seating Systems: Trends in Examination, Reimbursement, and Equipment
    Robbie B. Leonard, PT, MS
  • Reimbursement Issues in Health Care: Understanding the Medicare and Medicaid System
    Bob Thomas, PT, MS
  • Breast Cancer: The Role of the Physical Therapist
    Nicole L. Stout Gergich, MPT, CLT-LANA
  • Issues in the Veterans Health Care System: A Focus on the Veterans Health Administration for the Physical Therapist."
    Alice Dorworth Holder, PT, MHS
  • Interdisciplinary Approach to End-of-Life Issues
    Nancy Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD
  • Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Disease Management: Implications for Physical Therapists
    Orly Vardeny, Pharm.D, and Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD

Download Brochure and Registration Form

Dates: Available through December 2011.  You can take the exam any time after receiving the course to receive your credit: all exams must be received before March 2012.

Description: The Section on Geriatrics is pleased to present this update to the highly popular FOCUS: Geriatric Physical Therapy continuing education course. Last presented as an onsite preconference course in 2003, this current monograph series was written by board certified specialists in geriatric physical therapy. The purpose of FOCUS has always been to cover the breadth of geriatric physical therapist specialty practice in such a way that the course participant can better self-assess gaps in knowledge areas, whether to prepare for specialization or for their own personal development. Course materials include classic and current literature so participants can dig deeper, relevant case studies that show how a specialist might approach clinical problems, and practice test questions.

Educational Credit: 30 Contact Hours 

Topics & Authors:

• Musculoskeletal System: Age-related Changes and Common Problems—Jill Heitzman, PT, DPT, GCS, CWS
• Neuromuscular System Lesions and the Older Adult—Deb Kegelmeyer, DPT, MS, GCS
• Pulmonary System: Age-related Changes and Common Problems—Rubye Walker, PT, MS, GCS
• Integumentary System: Age-related Changes and Common Problems—Renee Cordrey, PT, PhD(c), MSPT, MPH, CWS and Alan Chong W. Lee, PT, DPT,
  GCS
• Cardiovascular System: Age-related Changes and Common Problems—Ellen Strunk, PT, MS, GCS
• Examination and Management of the Older Adult With Complex Multisystem Involvement: Emphasis on Clinical Decision Making—Kathleen Kline Mangione, PT, PhD, GCS; Amy Heritage Miller, PT, DPT; and James D. Tomlinson, PT, MS

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Dates: Available through December 2012.  You may take the test any time after receiving the exam: as long as it is mailed to us by March 2013. 

Description: Topics in Geriatrics: Volume 3 will offer the course participant an increased depth of knowledge across several practice dimensions. The course begins with 2 niche practice areas; working with older adult drivers and older adults who are obese. Readers will understand how physical therapists can have a role in working with older adult drivers, even if we don’t work in a setting with special equipment to specifically rehabilitate driving skills. Readers also will be introduced to the growing area of bariatrics across the health care continuum. In addition, there is an update on the role of the physical therapist in prevention of falls; what the latest research tells us and how we, as physical therapists, work with other team members. Readers also will gain insight into how physical therapists are successfully integrating public health in everyday practice and what physical therapists can offer in the public health arena. In the final 2 monographs, the reader will come away with a sound foundation to prescribe exercise for older adults and integrate the definition of “successful aging” into their practice. What does that mean for you and your practice area?

Educational Credit: 30 contact hours

Topics & Authors:

Physical Therapy Applications for Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers--Cheryl LaFollette Anderson, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS
Bariatric Geriatrics: Physical Therapy Management of Older Adults who are Obese--Michael L. Puthoff, PT, PhD
Fall Prevention--Celinda P. Evitt, PT, PhD, GCS
Health Promotions in Geriatric Care: The Collaboration Between Physical Therapy and Public Health--Kathryn K. Brewer, PT, GCS, MEd
Exercise Prescription for Older Adults--Dale Avers, PT, DPT, PhD and Patrick VanBeveren, PT, DPT, MA, OCS, CSCS
• Successful Aging: Biopsychosocial and Environmental Implications for Physical Therapist Practice--Mary Thompson, PT, PhD, GCS

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this home study course the participant will be able to:

1. Understand the role of the physical therapist when treating the older driver.
2. Evaluate and formulate treatment strategies including equipment needs for older adults who are obese.
3. Provide evidence-based falls prevention strategies.
4. Define the role of physical therapy in public health.
5. Prescribe exercise to the older adult using evidence-based guiding principles.
6. Define successful aging and incorporate this definition into physical therapist practice.

Click here to download registration form
Click here to download sample pieces (cover, editor's note, and table of contents) from one monograph: Physical Therapy Applications for Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers—Cheryl LaFollette Anderson, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS 

Dates: Available through December 2010.  You may take the test any time after receiving the exam: as long as it is mailed to us by March 2011. 

Description: This series is designed to present relevant topics of interest to the practicing physical therapist working with older adults. Topics arose from frequent requests from Section on Geriatrics members. The authors in this series have linked theory to practice across the spectrum of care and provide practical insights through case studies.

Educational Credit: 30 contact hours

Topics & Authors:

• Beyond Quad Sets: Therapeutic Exercise for Today's Older Adult - Cololeen S Grafa, PT, DSc, CPI
• The Older Adult With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Sue E Schuerman, PT, PhD, GCS
• Post-Polio Syndrom - Carolyn Kelley, PT, MS, NCS
• Aquatic Exercise: Indications and Effectiveness for Older Adults - Veronica Southard, PT, MS, GCS
• Clinical Management of Physical and Chemical Restraints - Cathy Haines Ciolek, PT, GCS, and Daniel E Ciolek, PT, MS, GCS
• Ethics in Geriatric Physical Therapy - Laura Lee Swisher, PT, PhD

Download Brochure and Registration
Download Demo Packet

Dates: Available through December 2009.  You may take the test any time after receiving the exam: as long as it is mailed to us by March 2010. 

Description: This series is designed to present relevant topics of interest to the practicing physical therapist working with older adults. The topics link theory to practice across the spectrum of care and provide practical insights through case studies.

Educational Credit: 20 contact hours

Topics & Authors:

• Issues in Home Care-Sue Wenker, PT, MS, GCS and Jane Bernatovich, PT, GCS
• Alzheimer Disease: Incidence, Etiology, Neuropathic Manifestations, and Effects on Function-Jennifer M. Bottomley, PT, MS, PhD2
• Alzheimer Disease: Assessment, Evaluation, and Treatment Approaches-Jennifer M. Bottomley, PT, MS, PhD2
• Physical Therapy Management of the Older Adult With Diabetes-Pamela Scarborough, PT, MS, CDE, CWS
• View Full Listing of Topics

Call Toll Free for more information: (877) 766-3452

Download Demo Packet and Registration

Dates: Available through December 2009.  You may take the test any time after receiving the exam: as long as it is mailed to us by March 2010.  

Topics & Authors:

• Red Flags in the Acute Care Environment -- Karen Ryan, PTA, and Kandy Ortgies, PTA
• Wound Care -- Richard L. Mowrer, PTA
• View Full Listing of Topics

Educational Credit

10 contact hours
Completion of the series and satisfactory performance on the post-test will give the subscriber 10 contact hours of continuing education. Only the registrant named will obtain contact hours. No exceptions will be made. Registrants must apply to their State Licensure Boards for approval of continuing education credit.

Registration Fees

• Section on Geriatrics Member $50
• APTA Member $75
• Non-APTA Member $100

  If notification of cancellation is received in writing prior to the course, the registration fee will be refunded less a 20% administrative fee. Absolutely no refunds will be given after the start of the course.

Call Toll Free for more information: (877) 766-3452

Download Demo Packet & Registration Information

Dates: Available through December 2008.  You may take the test any time after receiving the exam: as long as it is mailed to us by March 2009. 

Description: Consideration of the client's culture is an essential element in effective contemporary health care practice. this series is designed to help the clinician move toward cultural competency by providing information on a broad sample of specific cultures and sub-cultures with special attention to older adults. The practical case studies will show the clinician how one may adopt care to be congruent with the client's culture.

Credit: 30 contact hours

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