The goal of this program is to improve physical therapists’ ability to identify and minimize risk factors for falls in the elderly and understand the applicability of The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal of reducing the risk of patient harm resulting from falls. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —

• Identify the major physical, psychological, and environmental risk factors for falls in the elderly.
• Conduct a physical therapy fall risk assessment and post-fall evaluation.
• List measures that can prevent falls in home, hospital, and long-term care settings.

Approval Infomation

Gannett Healthcare Group is approved as a provider of continuing education by the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (provider no. 09-0215-001PR) from March 8, 2009 through March 8, 2010. Gannett Healthcare Group is also an approved sponsor by the New York State Education Department of continuing education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from October 21, 2009 to October 21, 2012.

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #GED012010TPTA2012004 and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas for the period of 1/1/2010 through 12/31/2012. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.

This course has been approved as meeting the continuing education requirements for PTs and PTAs by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 08S0264, expiration date 2/1/09; approval no. 09S0673 for 2/2/09 through 2/2/10), the Florida Physical Therapy Association (approval no. CE80011970, expiration date 12/31/08; approval no. CP90013869, expiration date 12/31/09; approval no. CP100013877, expiration date 12/31/10), the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 43194A, expiration date 2/1/09; approval no. 09S0673 for 2/2/09 to 2/2/10), the Illinois Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 359-2263, expiration date 3/1/09; approval no. 437.2848 for 5/1/2009 through 5/1/2010), and the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 1110-2008; expiration date 01/31/10). Approval of this course does not necessarily imply the Florida Physical Therapy Association supports the views of the presenter or the sponsors.

The Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Committee has certified that this course meets the criteria for approval of Continuing Education offerings established by The Illinois Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 359-2263, expiration date 3/1/09; approval no. 437.2848 for 5/1/2009 through 5/1/2010). According to the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (section 13460.61) published by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applying for re-licensure in Illinois can earn a maximum of 50% of their required continuing education hours from self-study. The hours awarded of this course are designated for self-study CE credit.