ATHENS, Ohio -- The summer series of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's Geriatric Education Brown Bag seminars will continue, Monday, Aug. 5, with Stephen Trotta presenting "Assessing Physical Activity Needs in the Elderly." The seminar will be held at noon at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9.
Trotta, a physical therapist who is a geriatric certified specialist, is also a clinical instructor for Ohio University's School of Physical Therapy and the manager of the university's Therapy Associates. His presentation will examine what constitutes good physical activity and exercise for the elderly as well as the risk factors and benefits of increased physical exercise. "There are risk factors to be evaluated before the elderly begin an exercise program," said Trotta. "Some of these factors are clearly indicated by pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular or pulmonary problems or diseases such as diabetes."
Others might only be revealed by an examination, which is an excellent first step for elderly people who are starting or resuming exercise activities, said Trotta.
He will discuss the impact that disabilities and "deconditioning" -- such as can happen during periods of bed rest -- have upon the physical abilities of the elderly. Trotta will also examine the role that doctors and other health-care providers play in promoting healthful physical activity in the lives of the elderly.
Health-care professionals are invited to attend the seminar. Brown bags are welcome. For more information, call the Geriatric Education Center at (740) 593-2258. Each lecture in this series of geriatric medicine/gerontology seminars is held from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at O'Bleness, Room B-9.
This seminar is the fifth of six seminars in the summer series. Previously, "Osteoarthritis Update: Screening and Self-Management" was presented by Sarah McGrew, R.N., June 3; "Advanced Care Planning Process: Respecting Choices" by Cathy Ash, June 17; "Symptom Management in Palliative Care" by Tracy Marx, D.O., July 1; and "Congestive Heart Failure" by Judson Millhon, M.D., July 15. The last summer series seminar, "Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Applications," will be presented Aug. 19 by Edward Gotfried, D.O.
"The seminars are designed for an interdisciplinary audience," said Ellen Peterson, R.N., OU-COM geriatric education coordinator. "Health professionals from the community regularly attend, in addition to interns, residents and medical students. The diversity of disciplines represented by the participants makes for an interesting exchange of ideas."
The sponsors of the seminars include the Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology, the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center and Area Health Education Center and OU-COM.
Peterson said the seminar series was started by a federal grant that established OU-COM as a contributing site to the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center in September 1994 and has supported many continuing education programs. Provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, the grant supports educational programs in geriatrics and gerontology for physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors and health-care providers to 22 Southeastern Ohio counties.
