CPA SENIORS’ HEALTH DIVISION
The Newsletter of the Seniors’ Health Division • Le bulletin de la Division de la Santé des Ainés
Vol 91 • Winter 2013
Urban Poling
Quickly Gaining Ground
with Therapists
Yoga for All Ages
© Canadian Physiotherapy Association,
Seniors’ Health Division, 2013.
Physiotherapy. It’ll move you.
la Physiothérapie. Redécouvrez le mouvement.
TM
SENIORS’ HEALTH DIVISION
Our Mission
The Seniors’ Health Division
is committed to providing
innovation and leadership by
promoting physiotherapy for
older adults in Canada. The
Division fosters collaboration
among health professionals,
seniors, families, and
communities to achieve healthy
aging.
Objectives
1. To unite CPA members who
are interested in all aspects of
seniors’ health and well-being
2. To acquire and make
available information and
educational materials as related
to physiotherapy in the field of
seniors’ health
3. To encourage the
development and publication
of physiotherapy research in
the field of seniors’ health in
Canada and elsewhere
4. To collaborate with CPA on
issues of national importance
which relate to seniors’ health
5. To promote excellence in
rehabilitation of the older adult
6. To support initiatives that
promote healthy aging
Disclaimer:
* Articles in Age in Motion have
not been peer-reviewed. There
has been minor editing where
necessary, and the articles’
authors, not Age in Motion editors,
are responsible for the material
presented.
* Age in Motion is Published
Quarterly
Photo Credits:
Inside Page - Lambertwm
Table of Contents
Chair’s Report........................................................3
Mark Your Calendar...............................................4
Clinical Notes
Urban Poling Quickly Gaining
Ground with Therapists............................................5
SHD Student Award Winner..................................7
News and Events...................................................8
Clinical Perspective
Yoga for All Ages!.....................................................9
Newsletter Welcome
Chair’s Report
Helen Johnson, Chair
Seniors’ Health Division (SHD), CPA
Happy New Year! The SHD executive is looking forward to an active and fruitful 2013.
Our executive has again welcomed three new members. Sonya Vani has been appointed to complete
the term of Education Coordinator. Sonya has extensive experience in working with older adults both
in hospital and community care environments. We thank Julia Filinski for her service and look forward
to her continuing involvement with our Education Committee. Stephanie Middleton is completing her
second year in the physiotherapy program at the University of Toronto, and has joined us as Student
Representative. Finally, Dr. Susan Muir has re-joined us as DRRC Representative. We look forward
to working with Susan to share her extensive knowledge and experience in research and knowledge
translation.
We thank Mr. Hal Loewen, an expert medical librarian at the University of Manitoba, who presented
a successful and well attended fall teleconference on the most effective ways to search for research
evidence to assist in our clinical decision-making. We are now gearing up for our spring session, with
Rhona McGlasson on March 6th, on the National Hip Fracture Toolkit. Please mark your calendars and
plan to attend!
These next few months will see us review our strategic goals and plan for events at Congress 2013.
Look for our 2-day pre-Congress course notice in this newsletter, Bone FitTM– hosted in collaboration
with Osteoporosis Canada.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions - you can reach us at [email protected].
You can also “like” us on Facebook by visiting us at:
https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsHealthDivisionCPA
Helen Johnson
SHD Chair
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A Word From the Editor
Jennifer Forbes
Can Spring truly be around the corner? We are pleased to bring you
this next edition of Age in Motion featuring articles that should get you,
and your patients inspired to get moving after a long cold winter! Barb
Gormley, Director of Education at Urban Poling Inc. has contributed an
article on the new Activator Poles for Nordic walking. You are also bound
to be motivated and amused by Melissa Lang’s story of Ida Herbert, the
Guinness Book of Records’ 2012 Oldest Yoga Instructor! As usual, we
have also included information about upcoming courses, conferences
and education opportunities. Please feel free to contact us with any ideas for future articles,
comments on the articles presented here, or suggestions for upcoming issues! We are always happy
to hear from members at [email protected].
Happy reading!
Jennifer Forbes
Mark Your
Calendars
Submit your courses or events to [email protected]
Please note, these courses and events have come to our attention and we are listing them for the interest of our members. This in no way endorses or
guarantees the content of these courses or events. While we make every attempt to present accurate and reliable information, CPA does not endorse,
approve or certify the information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy or timeliness of such information.
CPA Pre-Congress Course Sponsored by the
Senior’s Health Division:
Bone Fit™ – Advanced Training Workshop for Health
and Exercise Professionals
May 22 & May 23, 2013
Workshop including brief lecture, many demonstrations,
practice of clinical learning.Visit the CPA Congress
2013 website to register: http://www.physiotherapy.ca/
Congress/Educational-Programming/Courses
International Physical Therapists Working With
Older People (IPTOP)
Topics in Women’s Health and Aging in Men & Women
Boston, Massachusetts, April 26-28, 2013
For more information, visit http://www.wcpt.org/sites/
wcpt.org/files/files/IOPTWH-AND-IPTOP-Conf-flyerApril-2013.pd
Working Together Across the Generations,
2013 Annual OGA Conference
Toronto, ON May 1-2, 2013
For more information to to www.gerontario.org or email
[email protected]
Annual NICE (National Initiative for the Care of the
Elderly) Knowledge Exchange
Toronto, ON May 23, 2013
For more information, visit http://www.cagacg.ca/page.as
px?page=1339&app=309&cat1=745&tp=15&lk=no&me
nu=93
20th IAGG World Congress of
Gerontology & Geriatrics
Seoul, Korea June 23-27, 2013
For more information, visit http://www.iagg2013.org
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Clinical Notes
Urban Poling
Quickly Gaining
Ground with Therapists
By: Barb Gormley, Director of Education, Urban Poling Inc.
In 2004, Vancouver occupational therapist Mandy Shintani was introduced to Nordic walking by a Swedish
neighbour. Sceptical at first (“Is this just another gimmicky piece of equipment?” she wondered), her
neighbour assured her that Europeans had been exercising with Nordic walking poles for decades.
“I immediately felt my upper body and core muscles working hard,” she recalls, thinking back to her first
Nordic walking workout. “My posture felt more upright, and it didn’t jar my joints. Plus propelling myself
with the poles was fun and invigorating.”
She soon discovered 52 research studies all showing that Nordic walking poles and the Nordic walking
technique provide multiple advantages over standard walking. These include increased upper body
endurance1, increased cardio-respiratory fitness and calorie burning2, and reduced load to lower
extremities while walking3.
Today, as co-owner of Urban Poling Inc., a company that distributes Nordic walking poles, Mandy
introduces the activity to people of all ages and fitness abilities.
For rehab clients needing assistance with balance and stability, Mandy co-created a second style of
pole – the Activator. To design them, she used observed clients using standard walking poles, canes
and walkers, and she asked for input from physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Seven design
features – including a bell-shaped tip and a button-lock height adjustment system – make them more
effective and safer than standard Nordic walking poles.
“Research shows that good equipment design and proper use reduce the risk of falls associated with
walking aids4,” says Mandy. “Our goal was to design walking poles and training programs with safety as
our primary focus. Therapists using the Activator poles know that they are of the highest quality, can bear
200 pounds of pressure and won’t slide. The poles don’t have a wrist strap because I didn’t want clients
attached to the equipment in the event of a stumble or fall. Our training course covers the adjustment of
pole height, proper technique and contraindications.”
Physiotherapists and other health professionals are discovering that the Activator poles have numerous
advantages over other more-traditional assistive devices.
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“The poles let you offload weight from the hips, knees and spine into the upper body making it ideal for
some clients who have arthritic joints, low back pain and people who are easing back into activity after
surgery,” says Mandy. “But unlike a cane or a wheeled walker, the poles let people stand tall without
leaning or hunching forward.”
The poles are easy to adjust to the correct height for each client, and with proper instruction people pick
up the technique quite easily.
“The technique isn’t overly difficult to learn,” says Jessica Putland of Synergy Physiotherapy in Regina.
“After a few sessions people have it down quite well.” Best of all, she finds the activity is suitable
for a whole spectrum of her clients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and
osteoarthritis, plus people who are recovering from injuries and surgery.
“Therapists are enthusiastic because the poles help them meet all of the goals they have for their clients
– improved core strength, balance, stability and confidence,” says Mandy. “And the poles also promote
active living and independence.”
At the Acute Spine Program at Vancouver General Hospital, senior physiotherapist Hilary Jebson and her
colleagues have been using the Activators since 2010.
Jebson, who works with patients recovering from spinal surgery, reports that their surgeons love the
upright posture the poles provide during rehab. “Walking with the Activators gives patients an erect
posture versus the forward flexed posture they get from a wheeled walker,” explains Jebson, who
especially appreciates the strapless design and thick ergonomic handle. “The poles also facilitate a
normal gait pattern with a heel strike and toe push-off. And pressing down on the base of the handle
causes the core muscles to contract and encourages spinal extension.”
Another huge upside of the poles is that they make it easy for clients to transition to an active post-rehab
lifestyle.
“The poles help people to ambulate post-surgery, and then let them transition to using them as a fitness
tool once they’re home,” says Jebson. “And because they’ve seen other people using Nordic walking
poles in the community, it decreases the perception of disability.”
Ruth Kaplan, a photography professor, had spinal decompression surgery last year. During her recovery,
she fell two different times when her cane slide away from her. Her physiotherapist at Toronto’s Lyndhurst
Centre introduced her to the Activator poles which she found provided a more stable base of support.
“They allowed me to stand completely upright, and they felt lighter and more secure than my cane,” she
says. Today, Kaplan’s back is fully recovered, but she has some numbness in one foot. She continues to
use her Activators when walking for extended periods and on organized hiking trips. She also appreciates
that they look sporty, unlike a cane, so she blends in with others who are using hiking poles.
Sylvia Davidson, the occupational therapy professional practice chief at Toronto’s Baycrest Centre, was
recently introduced to urban poling at a wellness event she hosted for her team. “The staff absolutely
loved the workout!” she says. “Several of us now go poling at lunch time, and we’re keen to introduce it to
our residents.”
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REFERENCES
1. Karawan, A., J. P. Porcari, N. K. Butts, A. M. Postmus, L. Stoughton, and J. Larkin (1992): “Effects of 12 Weeks Of Walking or Exerstriding On Upper
Body Strength And Endurance.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, (Official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine): 24.5
2. Church T. S., Earnest C. P., Morss G. M. (2002): “Field testing of Physiological Responses Associated with Nordic Walking.” Res Q Exerc Sport. 2002
Sep;73(3):296-300.
Porcari J. P., Hendrickson T. L., Walter P. R., Terry L., Walsko G. (1997): “The Physiological Responses To Walking With and Without Power Poles on
Treadmill Exercise.” Res Q Exerc Sport. 1997 Jun;68(2):161-6.
3. Willson J., Torry M. R., Decker M. J., Kernozek T., Steadman J. R. (2001): “Effects of Walking Poles On Lower Extremity Gait Mechanics.” Medicine
and Science in Sports and Exercise 33 (1): p 142-147.
4. Stevens, J., Thomas, K., Tech, L., Greenspan, A. (2009): “Unintentional Falls Injuries Assoicated with Walkers and Canes in Older Adults Treated in
U.S. Emergency Departments.” JAGS: 57 (8): p.1464-1469
For more information on urban poling you can visit their website at www.urbanpoling.com.
2012
Seniors’ Health Division
Student Award Winner
The SHD congratulates Stacey Mann from the University of Saskatchewan,
this year’s Student Award winner. Stacey expressed a strong interest in
working with older adults as an immediate career goal upon graduation, and
has actively sought out student placements in seniors’ health care settings.
Her interest is so keen that she will be travelling from Saskatoon to Halifax
next month to undertake a five-week placement in a geriatric and transitional
care environment. In her experience to date, she has already realized the
reciprocal learning that occurs when working with seniors, and the benefits
of bringing forward knowledge gained to assist others.
In her experience to date, Stacey has also detected the elements of ageism
in the health care system and articulated this well when she wrote:
“I have a strong desire to change perceptions of the health care team, and
the public, including seniors, regarding aging. I do not believe that aging
should be a bad experience. Too often seniors are not regarded enough in
health care, especially in rehabilitation, simply because they are “old”. I want to be a part of making people
believe that aging is not an automatic sentence for a decline in quality of life or that a full recovery of seniors
is not a realistic goal. I want to ensure that the seniors that I am able to work with know that I am on their side
and will work with them to achieve the best possible outcomes. I have a passion for making a difference in
seniors’ health care and I will continue to strive to make this a reality.”
Congratulations Stacey! We look forward to you joining your colleagues in Seniors’ Health in our profession.
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News and Events
New Resources
Information
&
Canadian Falls Prevention Curriculum (CFPC) E-Learning sessions have been scheduled for early
2013 in both English and French. More information is available at http://www.canadianfallprevention.
ca/cfpc-e-learning/
Many of the NICE (National Initiative for Care of the Elderly) tools are now available in digital
format for use on any electronic device including smart phones, tablets and laptops - with more to
come in the near future. Please visit http://www.engaged.is/, click on “Services” and scroll down on
the left to register and view tools.
The World Health Organization has a specific site dedicated to publications on ageing and life
course. Go to http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/en/ to see what is available for download.
Gait, Balance and Falls in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Falls are a risk for many people with Parkinson’s who experience trouble with gait, yet they can be
prevented. What practical strategies can you use to understand falls and prevent thm from happening
to you, a loved one or a patient? Find out by joining the US Parkinson’s Disease Foundation for a
one-hour PD ExpertBriefing discussing this topic with expert guest speaker, Dr. Terry Ellis, PT.
Goals for Participants:
1) Gain a better understanding of the nature of walking and balance problems experienced by
people living with PD.
2) Learn about the research that demonstrates the benefits of rehabilitation and exercise to
improve walking and balance in PD.
3) Learn practical strategies to help improve walking and reduce fall risk as it applies to you, a
loved one or a patient living with PD.
The recording of this session is available online here:
http://www.pdf.org/parkinson_briefing_gait_balance_falls/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_
medium=email&utm_campaign=general
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Clinical Perspective
Yoga for All Ages!
By: Melissa Lang
Cameras flash excitedly in the large conference room, creating a disorienting strobe effect. Over a
hundred people fill the room, and there is a definite sense of anticipation as the speaker, a four foot
ten slim elderly lady in a dark bodysuit and tights mounts the stage.
I am in Oshawa, Ontario and it is the Gerontological Nursing Association of Ontario’s annual
conference. Ida Herbert, the Guinness Book of World Records’ 2012 winner of the Oldest Yoga
Instructor, is our special guest speaker.
Born August 21, 1916 in London, England, Ida came to Canada with her husband after the Second
World War. Starting in the East Coast, Ida rode across Canada with her husband on a motorcycle and
eventually settled in Toronto, Ontario.
Onstage, Ida starts her demonstration with a Sun Salutation (and yes, her shoulders achieved at least
170° flexion, and she was easily able to touch her toes). Her voice is soft but confident, gentle yet
reassuring. After a few gentle shoulder rotations and stretches, she came to the floor to demonstrate
“rock the baby”, a movement in yoga which one cradles the knee and foot and gently rocks it back
and forth. “This is my bad baby,” Ida announces with a twinkle in her eye as she cradled her right leg.
“You’re a naughty, naughty girl,” she croons to her hip.
When she was in her early 50’s, Ida was at a health club and saw a lady doing yoga. “The
movements looked so beautiful and elegant, I knew I had to try it.” To this day she rises at 5:30am to
practice. “I found it brought me inner peace and enabled me to get my body into good condition.”
When she moved to Orillia from Toronto she became certified by the local Y. Currently, Ida teaches
once a week in her community in Bayshore Village. Her students are women between 50-80 years of
age. When asked what she finds the most rewarding part of teaching yoga, Ida replied “Watching the
women I teach become interested in their bodies and finding inner peace.”
Ida is now in a full boat pose or V-sit, holding on to her toes. She sits there for fifteen seconds easily,
then with no rush gently brings her legs to the floor. (If you’ve never tried this pose, let me assure you
that even as a 12-year veteran of yoga myself, my legs sometimes come down with a crash.)
In the past Ida has been asked whether her many years and sharp wit is due to her yoga practice.
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She has replied “You can attribute some of my longevity to that. But I also eat no junk food, love
gardening and drink a sherry before lunch. Oh, and I love to flirt!”
As her demonstration comes to a close, the facilitator comes to offer assistance to Ida to get up from
the floor. However Ida keeps her at a distance with a shooing motion and jumps up to wild applause,
holding her hands in the air like an Olympic gymnast who has completed a routine.
Outside the conference room the next speaker introduces himself to Ida; it is Sergeant John Keating
who will be co-presenting on elder abuse. He compliments her on her performance. “Well thank
you so much for saying so,” Ida says, shaking his hand and smiling rather mischievously, “I so love
policemen.”
Like anyone who has met Ida Herbert, I have no doubt I’ll be seeing her in Guinness for many years
to come.
CROSS COUNTRY CONTACTS
A cross country contact serves to provide a link to a division member in each province for the purposes of liaison
with the SHD executive on seniors health issues as needed.
ALBERTA
Dianne Hajek
#350, 191 Boudreau Road
St. Albert, AB T8N 6C4
W: (780) 418-8412
F: (780) 460-2829
E: [email protected]
NEW BRUNSWICK
Kelli Macaulay
PO Box 9000, 680 Priestman St.
Fredricton, NB EB3 5N5
W: (506) 452-5290
F: (506) 452-1589
E: [email protected]
NOVA SCOTIA
Clare Tasse
31 Lucy Court
Middle Sackville, NS B4E 0C8
H: (902) 252-0135
E: [email protected]
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Carmen Emslie
303-540 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver, BC V7M 2G7
W: (604) 988-3131 ext.4318
F: (604) 984-3784
E: [email protected]
NEWFOUNDLAND AND
LABRADOR
Anne Baird
49 Autumn Drive
St.John’s, NL A1A 4Z6
W: (709) 777-3551
F: (709) 777-3988
E: [email protected]
ONTARIO
Karla Andrews
21 Boulder Crescent
Guelph, ON N1G 5A3
W: (519) 822-6907
E: [email protected]
MANITOBA
Adrian Salonga
2109 Portage Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3
W: (204) 831-2146
F: (204) 897-7376
E: [email protected]
NORTHERN ONTARIO
Michelle Golder
391 New Cobden Road
Chelmsford, ON P0M 1L0
W: (705) 674-4221
E: [email protected]
SASKATCHEWAN
Jody Rice
Cypress Health Region,
2004 Saskatchewan Drive
Swift Current, SK S9H 5M8
W: (306) 741-2848
F: (306) 778-9503
E: [email protected]
We are currently looking to fill the vacancies in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Yukon,
Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Email [email protected] if you are interested.
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BE A PART OF OUR TEAM!
Are you working on an interesting project related to seniors’ care? Are you part of a unique clinical team? The
SHD executive wants to hear from you! We would like to feature news, clinical articles and any other items of
interest in geriatrics around Canada from our practicing division members.
Please send your submissions to [email protected]. We are more than willing to help with
formatting of articles – so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
YOUR SHD EXECUTIVE
The next newsletter will be released May 2013
Deadline for submissions is April 1, 2013
[email protected]
Helen Johnson, Chair
Physiotherapist,
Bayshore Therapy and Rehab
Jennifer Forbes, Newsletter Editor
Physiotherapist
Grace Hospital
Fax: (519) 974-4367
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Leah Weinberg, Past Chair
Lecturer, School of Medical
Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba
Susan Muir, Research Coordinator/
DRRC Representative
Postdoctoral Fellow,
The University of Western Ontario
Office: (519) 685-4292 ext. 42577
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Lynda O’Callaghan, Secretary
Physiotherapist,
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Email: [email protected]
Melissa Lang, Treasurer
Physiotherapist
Integrated Regional Falls Program
Cell: (705) 330-7349
Fax: (705) 330-7349
Email: [email protected]
Sonya Vani, Education
Coordinator
Physiotherapist
Home: (519) 250-9205
Email: [email protected]
For more information, please visit us at:
http://www.physiotherapy.ca/public.asp?WCE=C=
47|K=229665|RefreshT=229670|RefreshS=Conta
iner|RefreshD=2296701
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