Summit Certification Series

Home Health

Expand your home health knowledge

- Home mods, innovative solutions, and minimizing fall risks

- Medical and functional perspectives, ADLs, and mobility requirements

- Earn your Summit Home Health Certification

Summit Certification Series
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Home Health

Spanning 14 hours of content, this in-depth look at Home Health covers home modifications, innovative rehab solutions, and minimizing fall risks. This Summit Certification Series is a must-have for therapists working in and around the home care setting to gain deeper knowledge of the medical perspective, functional perspective, ADLs, and mobility requirements.

What this certification series addresses

Over the past 5 years there has been an enormous expansion of products and resources for patient accessibility, assessment tools, and home modification options. With the expansion of accessibility products there are a greater number of individuals remaining in their homes, as they "age in place" or desire to remain at home with a disability. The growing fields of home modifications and "safe patient handling" are increasingly a more pertinent discipline and resource that distinguish physical and occupational therapists from other health care professionals. A therapist's knowledge base of the medical perspective, functional perspective, and of ADLs and mobility requirements uniquely qualify them as the experts for effective and intelligent accessible modifications for the home and community.

Statistical evidence continues to support the need for skilled home health clinicians in a dynamically changing health care world. Navigating home health care can be challenging as advanced health care regulations, insurance changes, and complicated documentation and reimbursement systems present a daunting challenge. Investing resources into home health care training will not only position you for clinical excellence in this challenging healthcare environment but will also translate into operational success to become the leading provider in your market. Utilizing specific patient-centered concepts and evidenced based practices in this workshop will be critical to maximizing your results.

In addition, a large portion of the burden of preventing falls has fallen on therapists as Medicare continues implementing and refining its value-based care system.

What courses are included

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"Creating Accessible Home Modifications Facilitating Safety, Function and Options"

Taught by Rob Horkheimer, MPT, CEAC, CAPS, ECHM, CLIPP

This workshop will provide essential knowledge and tools for accessibility evaluations and solutions. Participants will receive practical strategies for home modification essentials including assessment, task analysis, product knowledge,funding resources, and special considerations for design andselection of ramps, lifts, and grab bars. These approaches will be presented, and practiced so that you may help individualsof varied functional levels (from high functioning to dependent). Healthcare professionals and accessibility consultants will return to work with cost effective, aesthetic, and tested solutions for environmental modifications.

Available as:

6-Hour Online Video

6-Hour Live Session

Highlights

  • Learn about numerous funding resources for individuals in need of home modifications
  • Develop a system for performing effective homeaccessibility assessments
  • Discover new products and ideas for innovative accessibility solutions in the home
  • Integrate new technology for effective assessments, reports, and accessibility interventions
  • Receive a written guide with information on accessible resources and environmental modifications
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Rob Horkheimer, MPT, CEAC, CAPS, ECHM, CLIPP is an experienced physical therapist and the owner of Bridgeway Independent Living Design which utilizes a collaborative approach to home modifications. Mr. Horkheimer works closely with patients, families, designers, project managers, tradesmen, lift installers and other therapists for individualized accessible modifications, along with ADA design and construction. He has an Executive Certificate in Home Modifications, is certified as an Aging in Place Specialist by the National Association of Home Builders and has an Environmental Access Consultant Certification. Mr. Horkheimer has presented home modification workshops and rehabilitation lectures at Marquette University, Mount Mary College and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He has earned multiple awards and recognition for his clinical and accessibility expertise and is regarded as an expert in accessible home modifications. Mr. Horkheimer has worked for Froedtert Hospital for the past twelve years in the neurological sciences department. He earned his BS in Psychology and his MPT in Physical Therapy from Marquette University. He is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

DISCLOSURES

Financial: Rob Horkheimer is compensated by Summit as an instructor. He is the owner of Bridgeway Independent Living Designs, LLC.

Nonfinancial: Rob Horkheimer has no non-financial relationships to disclose.

  1. Environmental Modifications
    1. ADA vs. individualized designs
    2. Commercial vs. residential accessibility
    3. Options for accessibility both inside and around the home
    4. Importance of therapist perspective for effective modifications
  2. Individual Accessible Design - A Prescription for Healthy Living
    1. Environmental adaptations as a component of the medical model
    2. Benefits of staying at home
    3. Cost analysis of making your home livable vs. living in a facility
    4. Injury prevention
    5. Caregiver friendly designs
  3. Accessible Evaluations
    1. Essential components and evaluation resources and tools
  4. Considerations for Accessible Designs
    1. Visual cues
    2. Elimination of barriers
    3. Modular designs
    4. Principles of universal design
  5. Fall Prevention in the Home
    1. Identifying home hazards & fall risks
      1. Biological, behavioral, and environmental risk factors
    2. Environmental interventions for home safety and fall prevention
    3. Addressing patient behavior - safety with mobility and ADLs
    4. Technology for safety in the home
    5. Case Studies
  6. Accessible Entry to the Home
    1. Ramping options for the home
      1. Material and design considerations
    2. Other options for access to the home
  7. Managing Stairs Within the Home
    1. Safe stair management for the ambulatory patient
    2. Lift options for the home
    3. Special safety considerations
  8. Bathroom Modifications
    1. Design considerations and implementation
    2. Barrier free showers and unique grab bar solutions and considerations
    3. Walk in tubs and other options for accessiblebathing
  9. Transfer Assistance Options
    1. Floor lifts and transfer devices
    2. Ceiling lifts
    3. Other solutions for transfer safety
  10. Kitchen Modifications
    1. Solutions for accessible kitchen designs
    2. Accessible technology and shelving for the kitchen
    3. Selecting the right appliances
  11. Other Home Adaptations
    1. Door widening and rails
    2. Environmental control units and home automation
    3. Accessible design considerations and solutions for the home
    4. Case Studies
  12. Funding Resources for Home Modifications
    1. Government grants and assistance
    2. Charitable grants
    3. Loan assistance
  1. Integrate the environment as an integral component affecting the medical model.
  2. Differentiate between ADA commercial code and individualized custom accessible design.
  3. Identify three essential components for a successful andcomprehensive home evaluation.
  4. Identify differential considerations between ramp and lifts both inside and outside of the home.
  5. Discuss essential ramp design requirements.
  6. Give examples of five new unique products for accessiblemodifications and safety.
  7. Summarize three forms of assistive lifting technology and applications for transfer assistance as well as home exercise assistance.
  8. Identify three essential considerations for grab bar selection and safety.

"Evidence-Based Home Health Rehabilitation"

Taught by Timothy Dunn, PT, DPT, GCS, COS-C

This timely one-day workshop will provide the home health therapist OASIS-D concepts that incorporate a multidisciplinary approach aimed at achieving measurable, meaningful characteristics and abilities useful to the patient. Participants will examine strategies for incorporating best practice principles of evidencebased care that are driven by patient centered goals. Participantswill leave with tools to streamline service delivery, improve patient outcome & process measuring, and lower re-hospitalization rates - all while preserving the bottom line in a world of shrinking financialmargins.

Available as:

6-Hour Online Video

6-Hour Live Session

Highlights

  • Deliver care more effectively using the latest evidence based assessments and documentation strategies that comply with the latest Medicare changes
  • Build patient adherence and compliance with treatment plans that create sustainable functional progress
  • Optimize reimbursement using accurate documentation to make a case for the progress you work so hard to achieve with your patients
  • Reduce re-hospitalization and increase client mobility to reduce fall risk in the home
  • Align transitional care plans with value-basedpurchasing to optimize reimbursement from assessment to discharge
  • Confidently and accurately integrate maintenance therapy as a component of care in treatment plans anddocumentation
  • OASIS-D Accuracy made easy!
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Timothy Dunn, PT, DPT, GCS, COS-C, CEEAA is a licensed Physical Therapist, with over 26 years of experience specializing in the areas of home health, geriatric assessment and intervention. Dr. Dunn graduated summa cum laude from Daemen College in Amherst, NY. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2005. He is a Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is a credentialed clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association. In 2015, he earned his CEEAA distinction through the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy and is a Certified OASIS Clinical Specialist. Dr. Dunn currently serves as the Executive Director for the VNA Alliance, a 5-STAR home care agency serving multiple counties in Northwest PA, where he is actively involved in program development, clinical education and outcome measuring.

DISCLOSURES

Financial: Timothy K. Dunn is compensated by Summit as an instructor.

Nonfinancial: Timothy K. Dunn has no non-financial relationships to disclose.

  1. Applying the Latest Medicare Changes to Your Home Health Practice
    1. Value-based purchasing
    2. Quantity to quality shift
    3. Preferred partnerships
    4. Streamlining documentation - How to save time and still show progress
  2. Adaptive, Evidence-Based Assessment Strategies for the Home Health Setting
    1. Strategies for reducing re-hospitalization rates
    2. Physiology of change: Know your patient
    3. Medication considerations - What you need to know
    4. Transitions seen in the older adult
    5. Care coordination: Know your team
  3. Assessment and Documentation: The Foundation of Home Care Success
    1. Patient progress: It's about what you can prove!
    2. Creating predictable outcomes through objective assessment and treatment implementation
    3. The science of caring (EBM)
    4. How to use research terminology to validate your documentation
    5. Gait velocity, 6 MWT, timed up and go analysis
  4. Apply OASIS-D Documentation Requirements to Set and Achieve Realistic Goals
    1. Quality metrics: What you need to know
    2. Star reporting: Know your metrics
    3. "Ability vs. performance" distinctions
  5. Evidence-Based Tests, Measures, and Interventions to Improve Patient Independence and Documentation Compliance
    1. Medical necessity and functional reassessments
    2. Skilled need: It's all about you
    3. Proven strategies to improve ADLs
    4. Building adherence and compliance to treatmentplans
    5. Homebound criteria
  6. Risk Assessment, Management, and Prevention Strategies to Reduce Re-Hospitalizations and Falls in the Home
    1. Avoiding common pitfalls in home safety
    2. Intrinsic risk factors - A silent danger
    3. Evidence-based exercises to improve balance
    4. Self-care strategies to reduce fall risks and retain function
  7. Plan of Care Development and Correctly Documenting Maintenance Therapy
    1. Effective case management
    2. How to integrate maintenance therapy as a componentof care
    3. Building "characteristic care"
    4. The future of home health care
  1. Identify, compare and contrast the physiological transitions in the home health patient.
  2. Identify what a patient should look like on the last day of home care.
  3. Analyze the link between OASIS and documentation excellence.
  4. Recognize the patient's ability to safely complete specified activities.
  5. Evaluate need for appropriate referrals.
  6. Discuss gait speed and activities of daily living function.
  7. Enhance OASIS understanding as the key component for reimbursement.
  8. Formulate multidisciplinary team plans for better outcomes.

"Minimizing and Documenting Fall Risk"

Taught by Robyn Ligotti, PT, DPT, RAC-CT, CDP, QCP

A large portion of the burden of preventing falls has fallen on therapists as Medicare continues implementing and refining its value-based care system. This course offers fall risk assessment and prevention metrics backed by evidence to ensure you truly minimize fall risk in your patients. In addition to screening techniques, attendees will learn to appropriately document fall risk and progression metrics throughout treatment. The course also includes a lab where attendees practice the interventions andassessments so they can be used in the clinic the next day.

Available as:

2-Hour Online Text

2-Hour Online Video

Highlights

  • Strategies to assess, and reduce fall risk in the home and clinic
  • Practice lab on the most effective fall risk tests and predictors
  • Accurately document fall risk and progression/reduction of risk through entire plan of care
Check CE Approvals

Robyn Ligotti, PT, DPT, RAC-CT, CDP is the owner of Rehab Resource Solutions consulting and is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of experience working with older adults. The scope of her practice has encompassed many settings including skilled nursing facilities, home health, outpatient rehab, wellness and prevention, and inpatient rehab. She has managed multi-disciplinary teams in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient rehabilitation. She has also obtained the certification as a Resident Assessment Coordinator - certified by the AANAC and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Dr. Ligotti is dedicated in her belief that the key to achieving strong outcomes is having a strong interdisciplinary team who understands what is expected of them to succeed. She has provided education to rehab and nursing teams and other disciplines throughout her career on safe patient handling, understanding Medicare and rehab specific treatments, and approaches to care. Dr. Ligotti graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Sage Graduate School.

DISCLOSURES

FINANCIAL: Robyn Ligotti is compensated as the owner of Rehab Resource Solutions and by Summit as an instructor. She is a speaker for Education Resources for which she receives a speaking fee.

NONFINANCIAL: Robyn Ligotti in a member of the Geriatric Special Interest group with the CT APTA.

  1. Fall Prevention - Multidimensional approach
    1. Statistics and modifiable risk factors
    2. STEADI program
    3. Screening for fall risk
    4. Full therapy evaluation - algorithm
    5. Medication review/lab work
    6. Level of readiness for behavior change
    7. Interventions
    8. Hands-On Lab
  1. Integrate evidence-based screening and evaluation into establishing person centered plans for fall prevention.
  2. Implement care coordination and care transition strategies to prevent re-hospitalization.
Certification Series Overview