Pharmacology and Aging: Implications for Therapists

Formerly - Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Therapists Working with Older Adults

Do you want to better understand how medications affect a person’s health and ability to function? The Geriatric 5M’s include Medication, Mind, Mobility, Multi-complexity and Matters Most making it easier to address the issues facing older adults. Current best practice in geriatric physical therapy includes the 5M’s framework in the patient/client management model where each M is specifically addressed individually and how all the M’s interact with each other. Medications have both positive and negative effects which influence mobility, and the mind. By integrating the Medication M into practice, patient safety may be optimized, function improved, and better outcomes achieved. Many medications increase the risk of falling by causing dizziness, orthostatic hypotension or delirium; or enhance or interfere with ADL and IADL function. Addressing the Medication M, therapists have the greatest opportunity to improve function when interfering medications are identified and addressed.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with the information required to incorporate pharmacology and medication management into practice with the older adult. Therapists across the acute care and post-acute care continuum are accountable for patient safety inclusive of medication effects on physical function. Multi-complexity addresses the challenges of multiple health conditions many older adults have that are co-occurring and make interventions more challenging. The seminar format includes interactive lecture; small group discussion; incorporating video and case scenarios to demonstrate medication assessment, management and education. Participants will translate pharmacology knowledge into practice to effectively assess and treat patients while maintaining patient safety. Participants will learn techniques to help monitor patients for intended effects, untoward effects, and side effects to assist with safe medication use, and reduce hospitalizations related to adverse drug events. Evidence-based resources including the Beers Criteria and communication tools such as CUS will be provided to participants engage in crucial conversations with the patient and the healthcare team to improve safe medication use. The course manual is comprehensive including both print and electronic resources for uses immediately in practice. The participant will take home quick examination tools to identify pharmacology issues in minutes.

What Participants Are Saying . . .

“Great Presenter. Very upbeat and knowledgeable, thank you for making me feel more confident with medication reviews.”

“Great speaker. Awesome handout. Concise and straight to the point.”

“This course was very informative and interactive.”

“Exactly the kind of course I needed.”

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

  • Incorporate the Geriatric 5M’s into clinical practice by addressing medications, mind, mobility, multi-complexity and matters most.
  • Define pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, polypharmacy, medication errors, and adverse drug events.
  • Explain the federal regulations pertaining to medications and scope of practice.
  • Evaluate  for polypharmacy and identify medication effects impacting function with older adults.
  • Demonstrate use of the Beers List to identify potentially inappropriate drug use in the older population.
  • List the commonly prescribed medications (prescription and OTC), their indications and side effects.
  • Identify adverse drug reactions, side effects, and intended effects of the medications older adults take.
  • List the steps involved in and perform a hands-on medication review and reconciliation process.
  • Differentiate positive and negative medication effects on physical functioning, pain, endurance, strength, anxiety, depression, balance and risk for falling.
  • Prescribe a non-pharmacological therapy program to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and improve depression, anxiety and cognition.

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT: A certificate of attendance for 20 contact hours of educational activity (20 CEUs or 2.0 CEUs depending on how your Practice Act determines CEUs in your state) will be awarded to registrants upon completion of the seminar. Great Seminars and Books is an Approved CE Provider for PTs and PTAs in NY, IL, CA, TX, and NM and this course provides 20 contact hours of continuing education. Have applied for CEU Approval for PTs/PTAs in MD, FL, OH, NJ, MS, and LA. This course is also approved for PTs and PTAs in UT, AZ, MD, NJ, IN, MN, NV, LA, KS, WI, MS, and OH for 20 Contact Hours. Our courses also meet the guidelines for approval in TN, PA, SD, MI, AL, VA, MO, IN, AZ, DE, GA, NH, OR, RI, UT, VT, WY and MO. Courses are accepted for CEUs in NE, ID, MT, WA, CT, IA, and ND. If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call.

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

Your tuition may be tax deductible. 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.

Day 1

8:00AM Pre-Test and Introduction – Background, Medical Errors, IOM “To Err is Human Report”, APTA/AOTA Position Statements, Regulations, Therapist role in Medication Safety, Medication and Physical Function. Case Scenario – problem solving – fall etiology

10:00AM Break

10:15AM The Geriatric 5M’s and the Patient/client management model examination and evaluation; Small Group Activity – history and medication review; Definitions: Pharmacology Basics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug Use in Older Adults, Common Adverse Drug Reactions (GI symptoms, Falls/Dizziness, sedation, confusion, fatigue and weakness). Small Group Activity – Assessment tools – Delirium, Dementia, Depression, Falls/Dizziness, Orthostatic Hypotension, Non-pharmacological interventions for Orthostatic Hypotension

12:30PM Working Lunch (on your own)

1:30PM Pain Meds: Opiates, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Tylenol, Corticosteroids, Gabapentinoids, Antispasm medications.

3:30PM Psychotropics: Depression, Anxiety, Sedatives, Mood stabilizers.

4:30PM Break

4:45PM Small Group Activity – Assessment tools – Activity Intolerance/Endurance, Strength, Sleep, Anxiety and Pain.

5:30PM Interventions – Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep promotion and anxiety management

6:30PM Adjourn

 

Day 2

8:00AM Cardiac Medications, Anticoagulant Medications, Hyperlipemia Medications, Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Small Group Activity – Assessment Tools for DVT and Statin-related myalgia – Wells Criteria for DVT, VTE management; Clinical Practice Guidelines; Small Group Activity – Medication Review and Reconciliation Process. Case Scenarios.

10:00AM Break

10:15AM Pulmonary Medications, Diabetic Medications, Osteoporosis Medications. Non-Pharmacological Interventions for diabetes and osteoporosis. Small Group Activity – Clinical Decision Making – Case Scenarios

12:30PM Working Lunch (on your own)

1:30PM Parkinson Medications, Other Medications (Metabolic, Cancer, Anemia, Antiviral/ Antibiotic, Neurological, Ortho), Drug- Drug Interactions

2:30PM Appropriate use of Medications in the older adult population – Use of the Updated BEERS Criteria (2019). Multi-complexity

3:30PM Break

3:45PM Small Group Activity – Case Scenario – Medication Reconciliation

4:45PM Dietary Supplements, Alcohol, Drug-Food Interactions. Video – Medication Reconciliation for an older adult

5:30PM Addressing Matters Most

6:00PM Post Test Review, Questions & Answers

6:30 PM Adjourn

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
By Participants: Participant cancellations must be received in writing at least two weeks prior to the seminar date for tuition refund less a $75 administration fee. NO refunds will be made after this date.
By Great Seminars: In the event that a course is cancelled by Great Seminars and Books, participants will be offered the equivalent number of hours of another live course or a full refund. Great Seminars and Books is not responsible for course related expenses that participants may incur such as transportation including air fare, lodging or meals. It is highly recommended that you obtain refundable travel expenses.



For Mail/Email registrations call us at 877 794 7328 or fill out this registration form and email (greatseminars@aol.com) or mail (Great Seminars, 2639 Revere Drive, Akron, OH, 44333) it to us.


Registration Cost


Madison, WI – March 15-16, 2025

Host: Oak Park Place
718 Jupiter Drive
Madison, WI 53718


Early Bird (thru 1/29/25) = $545

Regular Price (1/30/25 – 2/19/25) = $595

Late Fee (2/20/25 – 3/15/25) = $645

Details Price Qty
Current Price is Early Bird Priceshow details + $545.00 USD  
Current Price is Late Fee Priceshow details + $645.00 USD   Goes On Sale
February 20, 2025
Current Price is Regular Priceshow details + $595.00 USD   Goes On Sale
January 30, 2025


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Cheyenne, WY – May 17-18, 2025

Host: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
West Building (Campus)
214 East 23rd Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001


Early Bird (thru 4/2/25) = $545

Regular Price (4/3/25 – 4/23/25) = $595

Late Fee (4/24/25 – 5/17/25) = $645

Details Price Qty
Current Price is Early Bird Priceshow details + $545.00 USD  
Current Price is Late Fee Priceshow details + $645.00 USD   Goes On Sale
October 9, 2025
Current Price is Regular Priceshow details + $595.00 USD   Goes On Sale
September 18, 2025


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Your Instructor

Kenneth Miller, PT, DPT, PhD, FNAP, GCS, CEEAA