From Assessment to Prescription: Maximizing Seated Postural Control and Wheeled Mobility for the Older Adult
From Assessment to Prescription: Maximizing Seated Postural Control and Wheeled Mobility for the Older Adult is organized by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) / Association canadienne des ergotherapeutes (ACE) and will be held on Sep 19, 2024.
Description:
Seating for older adults is critical to prevent injury and enhance function. A MAT assessment allows therapists to understand the older adult’s postural tendencies and to build a prescription that will correct and prevent asymmetrical tendencies, improve comfort and, when possible, enhance the mobility of the client. By understanding the physics of seating and mobility, occupational therapists can prescribe appropriate seating and mobility systems for older adults that facilitate autonomy, safety, restraint reduction, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations. …not despite, but because of their age!
This online workshop will explore how seated posture affects pain and the overall capacity of older adults to participate more fully and more comfortably in meaningful occupations. A prerecorded lecture on a MAT assessment will provide participants with an overview of how to complete a MAT assessment and how to recognize asymmetrical postural tendencies. During the synchronous workshop, the presenter will build on this lecture to help participants understand postural tendencies, three-point positioning, and postural/product simulation. The presenter will review how posterior pelvic and posterior lateral rib cage support assist with thoracic extension for improved posture, breathing, and eating. Participants will be guided through body mechanics and pain/pressure points to understand how seating can make a difference in comfort, pain reduction, and head position to enhance swallowing. Pain references, body shape, muscle tone, asymmetries, and skin integrity will be addressed. Participants will understand and ultimately be able to suggest appropriate propulsion styles (two-hand, two-feet, one-hand/one-foot) theories in their clinic settings. The impact of wheelchair setup on sliding and restraint use will also be reviewed. Participants will have a chance to utilize the information shared to address client case studies throughout the workshop.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
• Be able to do a MAT assessment in your clinical setting.
• Understand how postural tendencies affect breathing, swallowing, head position, and bowel evacuation.
• Understand postural tendencies in older adults.
• Conceptualize how to enhance comfort sitting.
• Be able to demonstrate three-point positioning and forces related to seated posture.
• Understand the use of secondary supports and tilt.
• Understand the physics of hand propulsion in older adults.
• Be able to identify the three methods of foot propulsion in older adults.
• Be able to review restraint policies and how seating is affected by these policies to gain restraint-free positioning.
