Beyond the Physical: Maximizing Function in the Aging Population Through Psychosocial Insights and Strategies

September 27, 2025 – 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

As health care providers, we know that movement is medicine—but what happens when anxiety, depression, fear avoidance, or loneliness prevent our older adult patients from fully engaging in rehabilitation?  Traditional interventions focus on biomechanics and strengthening, but research shows that addressing psychosocial barriers can significantly enhance patient outcomes.  In this dynamic and evidence-based webinar, we’ll explore how integrating psychosocial strategies into your clinical practice can improve adherence, reduce stress-related functional decline, and help patients regain confidence in their mobility.

You’ll learn how to identify signs of anxiety and depression in older adults, tailor interventions for patients struggling with fear avoidance behaviors, and implement communication techniques that foster trust and motivation.  We’ll also cover strategies to address sleep disturbances, enhance social engagement, and improve patient adherence to home exercise programs.  This is not just about theory—this is about real, practical approaches you can implement immediately to transform your treatment outcomes.

If you’re ready to go beyond standard physical interventions and make a deeper impact in your patients’ lives, this webinar is for you.  Join us and take your clinical skills to the next level by integrating the psychosocial components that truly drive functional success in geriatric rehabilitation!

    • Interventional Strategies for Psychosocial Issues (45 min.)
      1. Cognitive-behavioral techniques to reduce depression/anxiety
      2. Social support v. social connectedness and how to maximize each through educational and other interventional strategies to improve overall function and wellness
      3. Interpersonal and intrapersonal techniques to increase self-regulation and goal attainment
      4. Strategies to mitigate fear avoidance behaviors and encourage confidence
      5. Mindfulness techniques to overcome stress and anxiety
      6. Education on health beliefs and aging to encourage positive health beliefs and improve overall well-being and function
      7. Multicomponent interventions, including memory/cognitive training, skill training, reminiscence, social activities, behavior modification, and storytelling
    • Putting It All Together – Case Study (45 min)
      1. Breakout groups will tackle a multifaceted, complex case to employ screening and interventional techniques to successfully diagnose and treat a patient with effective, evidence-based care
    • Wrap-Up and Questions (15 min)
      1. Summary of covered topics and final questions
        • Introduction (30 min)
          1. Welcome and Course Objectives
          2. Why Psychosocial Factors Matter in Geriatric Rehabilitation
          3. Overview of Evidence-Based Research in Psychosocial Influences in PT/OT
        • Understanding Common Psychosocial Issues in Older Adults (45 min.)
          1. Depression & Anxiety
            1. i) Recognizing symptoms and their impact on rehabilitation
            2. ii) Fast, efficient, and evidence-based screening techniques
          2. Fear Avoidance Behaviors
            1. i) How fear of pain and falling lead to inactivity and functional decline
          3. Chronic Stress & Loneliness
            1. i) Effects on physical function, motivation, and adherence
          4. Sleep disturbances
            1. i) Role of poor sleep in pain, cognition, and recovery
          5. Health beliefs
            1. i) Importance of health beliefs and attitudes on aging regarding overall health and well-being

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

  • Describe the Impact of Psychosocial Factors in Geriatric Rehabilitation
    1. Explain the relationship between psychosocial issues and physical function in older adults.
    2. Identify how depression, anxiety, fear avoidance, sleep disturbances, and health beliefs affect rehabilitation outcomes.
    3. Summarize key evidence-based research supporting the integration of psychosocial strategies into medical practice.
  • Assess Common Psychosocial Barriers in Older Adults
    1. Differentiate between normal aging challenges and clinically significant geriatric issues.
    2. Assess fear avoidance behaviors and their impact on mobility and participation.
    3. Identify indicators of chronic stress, loneliness, and poor sleep affecting rehabilitation.
    4. Utilize screening tools and clinical observations to assess. psychosocial factors influencing adherence and participation.
  • Apply Effective Communication, Motivational, and Educational Strategies
    1. Build trust and rapport to enhance the therapeutic alliance with older adults.
    2. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to address resistance and encourage engagement.
    3. Implement patient education strategies that enhance self-efficacy and confidence in rehabilitation.
  • Modify Treatment Approaches to Address Psychosocial Barriers
    1. Adapt interventions based on psychological state and patient motivation levels.
    2. Modify exercise programs and educational interventions for patients with anxiety, depression, or fear of movement.
    3. Integrate graded exposure therapy techniques for fear avoidance behaviors.
    4. Apply behavioral strategies to improve adherence to home exercise programs.
      1. i) Use goal-setting and reinforcement strategies to enhance adherence.
      2. ii) Develop personalized, meaningful HEPs to increase engagement.
    5. Incorporate social and environmental factors into treatment planning.
      1. i) Encourage social participation in therapy sessions to reduce loneliness.
      2. ii) Leverage caregiver support networks to improve patient motivation and adherence.
    6. Employ sleep hygiene education and stress reduction approaches to allow for overall psychological well-being that will unencumber physical progress.

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT: A certificate of attendance for 3 contact hours of educational activity (3 CEUs or 3.0 CEUs depending on how your Practice Act determines CEUs in your state) will be awarded to registrants upon completion of the Live Webinar.

Great Seminars and Books is an Approved CE Provider for PTs and PTAs in OK, NY, IL, CA, TX, and NM and this Live Webinar provides 3 contact hours of continuing education. Have applied for CEU Approval for PTs/PTAs in FL, NJ, LA, MD, OK, and OH. This course meets the guidelines for approval in NC, TN, CT, ID, IO, KS, ME, MA, NH, NE, SC, SD. This course is accepted for CEUs in: AK, AL, AR, DE, GA, HA, IN, MI, MT, ND, OR, PA, RI, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY, WA.

Have applied for approval with AOTA. This course is not approved by ASHA or Board of Certification.

Any reference to or mention of state rules or regulations concerning continuing education requirements are true and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. If you have questions, please contact your board or regulating body.

If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call at 877 794 7328.

WEBINAR 

A webinar is live, interactive video course delivered over the Internet to your computer. You will be able to see, hear and interact with the course presenter.  This live, webinar will utilize live instruction, demonstrative videos, power point slides and more. You will have an opportunity to ask questions during the seminar. A comprehensive handout will be made available to you after you register for the webinar. In many courses, demonstrative video will be used to further enhance your learning experience. All written content used in the presentation will also be made available to you for your personal use (Power Point Slides, Reference Materials etc.).

Financial Disclosure: Aaron Baldridge, PT, DPT, FSOAE a lecturer for GREAT Seminars. He receives payment from GREAT Seminars for the presentation of this course.

Nonfinancial Disclosure: No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

Content Disclosure: This course does not focus solely on any specific product or service.

Platform for Webinar: We will use a ZOOM platform for conducting this webinar.

Your Instructor

Dr. Carole B. Lewis, , PT, DPT, GCS, GTCCS, CCOEE, MSG, MPT, PhD, FSOAE, FAPTA

September 27, 2025 - 12:00pm-3:00pm EST - $99.00

Accessing the Live Webinar:
You will receive a separate email closer to December 9 which will contain the link to the Live Zoom Webinar. You will also be able to find the link on the course page. You will be asked to provide a username and password to access this page when you register. In order to verify that your device works with Zoom you may click here to test your device.
Accessing Course Materials/Handouts:
When registering you will be asked to provide a username and password and then you will receive an email with the information to access the online course page where you will receive these materials as well as take your tests and receive your certificate.
Course Format: Live Webinar
Target Audience: Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistant.
Instructional Level:Intermediate
Refund Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing at least two weeks prior to the seminar date for tuition refund less a $25 administration fee. NO refunds will be made after this date or if any of the course materials are downloaded.
Criteria for Completion:

A post-test will be given at the end of the Webinar. A post-test score of 70% or more is considered passing. Scores of less than 70% indicate a failure to understand the material and the test will need to be taken again until a passing score has been achieved. You will receive a certificate of completion for 3 contact hours.