Developing an Exercise Program for Geriatric Psych Participants

*This course has been pre-approved by NCTRC for 5 clock hours.

This course will help you develop individual and group exercise programs specifically for geriatric psych participants. We will determine how exercise can benefit geriatric psych patients and maintain positive health outcomes. In this course, we will discuss how to identify effects of the aging process, barriers to exercise, precautions to exercise, exercise testing, exercise prescription, and adaptations. Together, we can help geriatric psych patients build a sustainable exercise program so that they can benefit from a healthy lifestyle. At the completion of this course, participants will need to pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%. Participants must complete the course within 365 days of starting the course to receive a completion certificate.
Purchase Now! - $60

NCTRC Specialty Certification Eligible

Course Objectives

  • Understand the aging process and the importance of exercise to maintain positive health outcomes.

  • Assess the needs of each participant and understand the Exercise Testing guidelines and Exercise Prescription guidelines for the geriatric population.

  • Adapt an exercise program for geriatric psych participants and identify exercise precautions and barriers.

  • Understand the future outlook of developed exercise programs.

Makayla Simma, MS, CTRS

Instructor Bio:

My name is MaKayla Simma, and I’m a certified CTRS. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Saint Mary. I continued at Northwest Missouri State University, where I completed my Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. I spent many years on a geriatric psych unit serving under their therapeutic recreation department. I provided TR services to a wide variety of clients with psychiatric disorders, but a large majority had diagnoses of Dementia. My main focus and passion were creating sustainable, beneficial exercise and recreation programs for each participant. In 2023, my husband and I welcomed our daughter. Since staying home with my daughter, I have found a passion for educating students and CTRS professionals. I look forward to sharing this passion with you and I hope to inspire new ideas for the therapy services you provide.

MaKayla Simma, MS, CTRS

SMART Instructor