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Course Descriptions
Interdisciplinary Geriatric Core Courses
 Approaches to the Older Adult
Understanding the issues related to aging and the health care of older adults provides the foundation for quality geriatric care. The course introduces health care professionals to the implications of the graying of America, including the physiological and psychosocial aspects of the aging process, communication strategies, polypharmacy, ethical issues, and the influence of culture and ethnicity on perceptions about health and illness. The interdisciplinary nature of geriatric assessment is emphasized through case discussions and simulated patients.
Managing Disease in Older Adults
Multiple chronic diseases are common in older adults. The epidemiology of chronic disease is discussed and perspectives on health promotion and disease prevention are emphasized. Focus is placed on the common geriatric syndromes, including depression, dementia, delirium, falls, arthritis, osteoporosis, and urinary incontinence. Longitudinal case studies follow the progression of disease and permit interdisciplinary management strategies for optimizing health, function, and quality of life.
Social and Health Care Policy
The demographics of the geriatric imperative influence social, economic, and health care policy for the elderly and have implications for health care providers. The aging services network, the continuum of care, and options for home and community –based services are explored. New directions for health promotion, empowerment and reaching underserved communities are discussed through case examples and best practice models.
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Geriatric Nutrition Courses
Nutrition and Aging
 This graduate-level course represents an advanced study of nutrition in the aging individual during health and disease. The course focuses on the interrelationships of the physiological, psychosocial, functional, economic, environmental, and pharmacological factors affecting the nutritional status of older adults. Effects of aging, malnutrition, illness (acute, chronic, and terminal disease) on nutritional status and nutrient needs are stressed. Effective nutrition assessment, counseling, as well as monitoring approaches are discussed. Strategies for delivering comprehensive food and nutrition services for older adults across a myriad of settings are explored. Ethical, cultural, societal issues concerning nutrition and aging are presented using case-based learning methods.
Nutrition Assessment in the Older Adult
 This graduate-level course represents an advanced study of nutrition assessment in the older adult and incorporates all major components of nutrition assessment (i.e., anthropometrics, biochemical indices, clinical symptomatology, and dietary intake), with special emphasis on physical assessment. This course will evaluate assessment techniques as appropriate for the physiologic, pathophysiologic, and functional status of older adults, while introducing the physical and diagnostic assessment of health status in the older adult; such as measurement of body composition, vital signs, hydrational status, breath and heart sounds, intra- and extra-oral assessment, dysphagia screening, and the clinical assessment of nutritional status. All elements of the nutrition care process will be explored; nutrition screening/assessment, nutrition diagnoses, nutrition intervention, and monitoring/evaluation. Students will demonstrate acquisition of knowledge through the use of patient case scenarios.
Nutrition and Physical Activity in the Older Adult
 This graduate-level course represents an advanced study of nutrition and physical activity in the older adult with emphasis on studying the impact aging has on various body systems critical for exercise and metabolism. This course will focus on the synergistic relationship between nutrition and exercise in health promotion, weight control, and management of chronic disease using case discussions. This course will also focus on the role of dietary supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and ergogenic aids commonly used in this specific population, and the evidence that is currently available suggesting such uses. Health promotion guidelines for diet and exercise, as appropriate for the older adult, will be highlighted. Existing nutrition and physical activity programs will be reviewed, leading to the development of community-based programs suitable for implementation. Exercise and nutrition guidelines for assessment, education, and monitoring will be covered.
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Geriatric Physical Therapy Courses
Physical Therapy Examination Skills for the Older Adult
 This course is designed to enhance the examination skills of graduate physical therapists for practice settings that focus on older adults. It will concentrate on identifying system impairments and clinical findings that would affect the physical therapy examination of the older adult population. The course will emphasize evidence-based physical therapy examinations that are utilized as part of the continuum of care of older adults with multiple diagnoses. Medical screening, the differential diagnosis and prognosis process pertaining to older adults will also be covered. A case study format will be used to encourage group discussion. Students will apply their skills through the submission of assignments pertaining to case studies, evidence-based analysis of examination tools, and exploration of the role of the physical therapist in preventative health care and wellness of the older adult. Concepts will be applied to the development of appropriate plans of care for the aging population.
Physical Therapy Intervention Skills for the Older Adult
This course is designed to enhance the intervention skills of graduate physical therapists for practice settings that focus primarily on older adults. These populations include the well-elder, the at-risk and impaired elder, the older athlete and the frail and institutionalized elder. The course will emphasize objective, efficacious, evidence-based physical therapy intervention techniques that are utilized as part of the continuum of care of older adults with multiple diagnoses and impairments. Students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas about the various patient care concepts and enhance their current background. Knowledge integration and colleague interaction will assist participants in determining the appropriate techniques to administer to their older adult population. A case study format will be used to encourage group discussion. Students will apply their skills through the submission of assignments pertaining to case studies, evidence-based analysis of intervention techniques, and exploration of intervention strategies in preventative health care education, wellness and fitness of the older adult population. Through the application of the patient/client management model, students will utilize advanced clinical decision-making skills and integrate a wide range of patient information. Students will augment their communication and documentation skills and investigate patient education plans for the aging population.
Geropharmacotherapeutics
This course is designed to enhance the entry level knowledge base of pharmaco-therapeutics of graduate physical therapists for practice settings that focus primarily on the older adult population. Students will explore the multiple aspects of medication management the older adult. Problems can result from drug disposition, interaction, side effects, and adverse reactions of certain drugs. It is important for the therapist to understand and how to differentiate between drug-related effects and older adult impairments and issues. Students will recognize how specific medications can interact with various rehabilitation procedures including exercise and functional training and will gain an appreciation for the patient’s drug regimen and the confines of drug therapy of their older adult patients. Students will have the opportunity to explore frequently used medications, common pathologies, drug reactions and interactions, monitoring techniques, and adherence/concordance issues. The use of over-the-counter medications, self-medication, the use of herbs and vitamins, and nutraceuticals will be examined as they apply to specific pathologies. A basic review of pharmacology principles, general pharmacokinetics and drug receptors will also be conducted. Students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas about the various concepts and enhance their current background though threaded discussions and posted case studies. Knowledge integration and colleague interaction will assist participants in determining the appropriate techniques to administer to their older adult population.
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