Foundations of Geriatric Rehabilitation

Geriatric rehabilitation supports older adults in maintaining and recovering function. Sound practice rests on understanding aging physiology, common conditions seen in older adults, and goal-directed care that respects autonomy and capacity. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe age-related changes relevant to rehabilitation, recognize common conditions affecting older adults, identify principles of goal-directed care, and understand the role of the interdisciplinary team. What you will learn: - Age-related changes in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, and sensory systems - Common conditions in geriatric rehabilitation including stroke, hip fracture, and deconditioning - The principles of frailty and how they shape rehabilitation planning - Fall risk assessment and prevention principles - The role of cognition in rehabilitation participation - Principles of person-centered, goal-directed care - The interdisciplinary team and the role of family caregivers The course uses readings, condition overviews, case examples, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation nurses, and other professionals working with older adults. It does not replace supervised clinical training or specialty certification. By the end you will have a structured foundation in geriatric rehabilitation principles.