Older & Bolder: Chiropractic Care for Healthy Aging

Course overview

Describe healthy aging concepts, lifespan capacity, and the role of evidence-informed chiropractic care for the aging population. Explain the WHO ICOPE framework and its recommendations for addressing declining physical and mental capacities in older adults. Describe global aging epidemiology trends and recognize the impact of ageism on older adults' health. Identify geriatric syndromes and explain the interrelated triad of functional decline, falls, and frailty. Recognize age-related changes including sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and the clinical impact of polypharmacy on older patients. Identify cognitive issues using the 3Ds framework and apply validated screening tools for dementia, depression, and anxiety. Describe key elements of history taking for older patients, including red flags, medication review, and fall risk factors. Apply functional assessment tools including the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, chair stand test, and grip strength measurement. Explain care planning considerations for older patients and describe how walking speed predicts overall health outcomes. Analyze the impact of multi-site joint pain on older adults and recognize the biopsychosocial nature of chronic pain. Apply self-management do's and don'ts for older patients and explain the role of contextual factors in clinical outcomes. Describe chiropractic practice patterns with older patients and identify gaps in exercise prescription rates. Recognize the burden of spinal pain in elderly patients and identify associated comorbidities and risk factors. Evaluate chiropractic research evidence for low back pain management in older adults, including collaborative care models. Explain how chiropractic access affects healthcare utilization and costs and describe the hip-spine relationship in elderly patients. Describe older patients' care expectations and identify communication priorities that enhance the chiropractic encounter. Apply evidence-based best practices for spinal pain and recognize inappropriate imaging use in older patients. Define osteoarthritis, describe its global burden, and identify joints most commonly affected. Identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for osteoarthritis and explain the three levels of prevention. Describe osteoarthritis comorbidities and explain pathophysiological mechanisms linking OA to other chronic conditions. Apply clinical guidelines for osteoarthritis management from CCGI, ACR, and OARSI to guide patient care. Evaluate evidence for modalities, nutraceuticals, bracing, and exercise interventions in osteoarthritis management. Explain the limitations of NSAIDs and surgery for osteoarthritis and describe the benefits of exercise on joint health. Compare topical versus oral NSAIDs, recognize opioid risks, and apply manual therapy evidence for osteoarthritis. Describe the pathophysiology, prevalence, and clinical impact of lumbar spinal stenosis on older adults. Apply historical and physical examination findings to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis and recognize key differential diagnoses. Differentiate lumbar spinal stenosis from hip osteoarthritis and peripheral arterial disease using clinical features. Apply the CCGI care pathway for lumbar spinal stenosis including multimodal conservative interventions and outcome measures. Describe the boot camp program for lumbar spinal stenosis and explain its multimodal components. Identify clinical signs of degenerative cervical myelopathy and apply special tests including Hoffman, Babinski, and the mJOA scale. Describe management options for degenerative cervical myelopathy and locate course certificate and feedback resources. Recognize the importance of individualized, evidence-based, compassionate chiropractic care for the aging patient population.