GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise
GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise
This course includes
Overview
Dance is a multifaceted integrative therapy that combines physical movement, cognitive challenge, and social engagement into one evidence‑informed activity for older adults.
This online course explores the role of therapeutic dance in enhancing mobility, reducing fall risk, and promoting mind‑body health in older adults, including both in‑person and virtual delivery models.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Define key concepts related to mobility, balance, and falls in older adults.
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Review the latest evidence‑based recommendations for falls prevention.
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Describe how dance may improve mobility and reduce fall risk in seniors.
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Distinguish different modes of course delivery, including in‑person and virtual programming.
Audience
This course is designed for physiotherapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, kinesiologists, exercise professionals, and other healthcare providers working with older adults. It is brought to you by the Seniors’ Health Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is suitable for practitioners across clinical, community, and rehabilitation settings.
About the Presenter
Dr. Patricia Hewston, OT, PhD
Dr. Patricia Hewston is an occupational therapist with a PhD in rehabilitation science. She is a research associate in the department of medicine and an assistant clinical professor (adjunct) in the school of rehabilitation science at McMaster University. Her clinical research area of focus is to design and evaluate new models of care to keep older adults healthy and active.
Why This Course Matters
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Evidence‑Informed Practice: Dance‑based interventions like GERAS DANCE are supported by research showing improvements in balance, mobility, and cognitive outcomes among older adults.
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Falls Prevention: Falls are a leading cause of injury and disability in older adults; integrating enjoyable, functional movement modalities can enhance adherence and outcomes.
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Holistic Care: Incorporates mind‑body‑social components that can improve patient engagement, confidence, and quality of life.
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Flexible Delivery: Includes insights into both in‑person and virtual implementation to support diverse practice environments and patient needs.
The instructors
The Seniors’ Health Division (SHD) is a special interest group within the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. SHD is committed to providing members with services related to older adult health and physiotherapy practice.
It is comprised of physiotherapists from across Canada who work with older adults in a variety of practice settings, including acute geriatric care, geriatric rehabilitative and restorative units, long term care settings, community based and home care settings.
SHD is a member of The International Association of Physical Therapists working with Older Persons.
Vision of the Seniors' Health Division: Older Canadians are moving, moving more and moving better with the help of physiotherapists.
Mission of the Seniors' Health Division: To support our members in providing excellent physiotherapy care to optimize the independence and quality of life of older adults.
Material included in this course
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GERAS DANcing for Cognition and Exercise
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Welcome!
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Balance and Falls
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Falls Prevention
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Exercise to Prevent Falls
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Introduction to GERAS DANcing
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Benefits of Virtual Exercise
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Dancing to Improve Cognition
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Questions
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Feedback
I'm a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). What are the discounts available to CPA Members on Embodia?
As part of our partnership with the CPA, we offer its members discounts on courses and Embodia Memberships. Learn more about the partnership on this page.
In order for the discount to be applied, you first need to authenticate your CPA membership. This is an important step as this is how Embodia 'knows' that you are a CPA member.
To authenticate as a CPA member, you need to sign in the CPA portal on this page, sign in to your CPA account, and then click the button on the page.
Please note that your email address on your CPA account must match your email address on Embodia. If needed, you can update your information on Embodia as outlined in this guide.
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.