Geriatrics Seminar Students Train Senior Service Center Staff on Strength Training Exercise Program

SLU DPT Student Field Experience - Geriatrics Seminar

Students in the Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy participate in offsite experiences to enhance their knowledge and skills in various specialty physical therapy practice areas. The Geriatrics Seminar class recently traveled to Northside Youth and Senior Service Center for one of their off-site experiences. 

The mission of the Northside Youth And Senior Service Center, Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of clients by serving the basic needs of the elderly, children and families in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The Geriatrics Seminar class trained staff to implement a strength training exercise program for community dwelling older adults. 

As a result of this ongoing partnership between the Program in Physical Therapy and Northside, the center is able to offer a Senior Fitness Program to its members, which includes a 45-minute fitness classes twice a week to work toward goals of preventing muscle loss and improving balance in seniors over the long term.

The Geriatrics Seminar is offered as an elective physical therapy course in the fall semester of the third year of the professional phase. It explores the causes of frailty in older adults and the financial burden in the U.S. of obtaining healthcare for this population. The course then explores services available to help frail older adults maximize their physical and psychosocial independence within the community and within institutions. The course consists of lectures, interviews, and site visits in the St. Louis area.

Photos submitted by Kelly Hawthorne, PT, DPT, GCS

Story by Kristin Hrasky