208: “Old Not Weak” How You Should Actually Train Aging Adults With Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCS
Release Date: 04/08/2024
272: Learn About FALI’s Innovative Weighted Walker Attachments
I Love Neuro
Have you ever put weights on a walker? We’re guessing you have! Likely ankle weights…Did you find those ankle weights slide around and didn’t stay where you wanted? Well there is an actual product designed by a PT/OT duo that makes weighting ANY assistive device easier and more precise. Physical therapist Nicole Fellows, MS, PT, DPT and occupational therapist Sarah Ali, MS, OTR/L, CSRS, AIB-VRT/CON share their story of developing FALI Rehab, a company that offers adjustable weighted attachments that can be easily added to walkers, canes, and other assistive devices. Sarah and Nicole...
info_outline
271: Scaling A Mobile Insurance-Based Neuro Practice With Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS
I Love Neuro
Dr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to adaptability and patient-centered care. What began as a pandemic-era pivot while homeschooling her children transformed into Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, a robust 20-person mobile practice specializing in geriatric and neurological rehabilitation. Her practice emerged from a critical healthcare need, offering innovative at-home therapy services that prioritize patient accessibility. Unlike traditional clinical models, Wadland created a flexible business approach that allows therapists to manage their own schedules...
info_outline
270: Experiences From A PT Movement Disorders Fellowship With Andrew Doubek, PT, DPT, GCS, NMD
I Love Neuro
Ever consider specializing deeper into an aspect of neuro? Wonder what it’s like to dive deep into a subset of the neuro population and sharpen your practice? In today’s show, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Andrew Doubek, PT, DPT, GCS, NMD about his recent experience going through an accredited movement disorders fellowship program at the Ohio State. In the show we talk about the details of what the fellowship was like from the schedule, mix of experiences, requirements and types of patients. Andrew shares his insights and words of wisdom to anyone considering a...
info_outline
269: Focused, Intense Anticipatory Postural Training Improves Multiple Balance Measures In PD With Sharanya Chavva, PT, DPT
I Love Neuro
Balance is a common challenge among people with Parkinson’s disease and it can be made even more challenging when there is both a risk of falls AND a high fear of falling. What’s a clinician to do to improve overall balance when your patient is too fearful to try so many things? On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS discusses exactly that predicament with physical therapists Sharanya Chavva, PT, DPT and Jennifer Lazaro, PT, DPT, NCS who share the findings of their poster from APTA CSM 2025. Their poster, which outlines a case study of a PwP, won the APTA Balance and Falls SIG first...
info_outline
268: When You’re Compelled To Serve With Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/L
I Love Neuro
So many clinicians are passionate about ensuring their clients get everything they need to gain the level of independence and quality of life they deserve after diagnosis. The disappointing part is they don’t always have access to the expert care they need. That’s where Leann Vitale, MS, OTR/L found herself several years ago realizing she had a dream to start her own practice in order to fill the gap. Taking that leap is scary and risky. Fortunately she met the perfect contact and mentor to get her going! In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, Leann shares her transformative journey...
info_outline
267: Advanced Strategies And Insights For Treating Individuals With Ataxia With Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, NCS And Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCS
I Love Neuro
Treating individuals with ataxia is challenging for many reasons. Having some key insights from the literature is just what you need! That’s why on this week’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, MCS and Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCS to discuss their research and clinical experiences in treating ataxia. The speakers recently presented a webinar inside NeuroSpark for members and the takeaways were so good we had to bring them on the podcast to share more! In the episode you’ll learn their insights on various types of ataxia,...
info_outline
266: How To Go From Mobile To Brick-And-Mortar In Neuro Rehab With Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCS
I Love Neuro
Are you a neuro clinician working mobile or thinking about starting your side gig? Perhaps you’ll want to expand into your own space. day. Perhaps you already are and want to see if you can learn anything new. This episode will break it all down! Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS has a conversation with Han Nguyen, PT, DPT, NCS about how she built Neubility Rehab from a mobile practice to a brick-and-mortar in St. Petersburg, FL. She shares her top tips for negotiating equipment and co-op space as well as strategies to increase revenue outside of patient care. Key Insights: - Negotiated...
info_outline
265: To Residency Or Not To Residency With Mari Biers, PT, DPT
I Love Neuro
A question many clinicians face is whether or not to go to a residency program. There are pros and cons either way and a LOT to consider. Additionally, with so many residencies available to clinicians there are things you want to look for that will be a good fit for you. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS talk with Mari Biers, PT, DPT who is currently completing a neurologic residency at the University of Missouri. This conversation highlights multiple perspectives as Mari is currently in residency, Claire completed a neurologic residency and Erin did not do a...
info_outline
264: Dementia Care - Evidence-Based Strategies For Rehabilitation Professionals With Dr. Natalie Douglas, PhD, CCC-SLP
I Love Neuro
We’ve heard from our audience a lot that working with people with dementia can be very challenging for a number of reasons. In this episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Natalie Douglas, a speech-language pathologist and dementia expert on her insights for rehabilitation professionals working with individuals living with dementia. Learn key tools that will help individuals follow through with tasks more independently while breaking down the barriers to application of the tools, practical strategies, do’s and don’ts of working with individuals with dementia and how to...
info_outline
263: Every Vestibular System Has A Person With Marc Broberg, PT, DPT, NCS
I Love Neuro
Today’s episode compares persistent dizziness with persistent pain. There are patterns and insights from the literature that can help clinicians improve their approach to treating people with dizziness. Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Marc Broberg, PT, DPT, NCS on his theories after diving into the literature and treating people with dizziness for 15 plus years. Marc explains how approximately 25% of people with dizziness develop persistent symptoms. He shares the one key factor in determining how well they will recover. He believes successful treatment isn't about eliminating...
info_outlineHow much are you challenging the older adults you work with What biases do you have about someone when you see their age or comorbidities? Are they limiting how much you push them? Have you ever thought about the consequences of not pushing someone enough?? On today’s show we interviewed Dr. Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCS about his approach to working with aging adults and how it challenges the norm. He was working in skilled nursing facilities and seeing nearly everyone with the same exercises and plans of care despite varying abilities. This led to a desire to change the approach to care to be about determining what is really possible for aging adults and questioning why we only reserve more challenging work for those who are younger.
In the episode Dustin explores how many therapists make assumptions (often ageist) about what someone is able or not able to do that isn’t backed up by research. He discusses the fear that something could go wrong when you challenge an older adult and challenges you to consider what could go right. If you approach it the right way, honoring their system and giving time to adapt, older adults have so much to gain by doing heavy lifting and strength training. The bigger risk for this population is actually to underdose them. People who are stronger and more fit have an ability to overcome more illnesses and stay independent longer. We discuss how to have conversations and set expectations for hard work outs that could lead to soreness or even orthopedic flare ups and how this is actually less risky as a consequence of pushing someone than the alternative outcomes that can happen is they aren’t as strong as possible, such as illnesses and chronic conditions from being sedentary.
Keys to success with a fitness forward approach include ensuring the exercises are aligned with the patient’s primary goal. If they have pain, address that first but still have the conversation about where you’re going. Keep tying the exercise approach back to their independence and functional goals, and help them see the connection. Make sure they know the worst thing they can do is stop. Assure them to keep coming back so you can help them through it.
Dustin runs StrongerLife, a gym for people over 55 and teaches Modern Management of the Older Adult as part of the Institute of Clinical Excellence, or PT on ICE.
Learn more about Dustin and StrongerLIfe at www.StrongerLifeHQ.com
Modern Management of the Older Adult - PTonICE.com