Description: Patient education is a core clinical intervention—yet in older adults, it often fails to translate into sustained behavior change. Health literacy limitations, cognitive and sensory changes, generational influences on communication and learning, caregiver dynamics, social determinants of health, and system-level constraints all influence whether education leads to improved outcomes or preventable adverse events. Too often, missed carryover is labeled “non-compliance” rather than examined as an instructional mismatch. This course addresses the clinical practice gap between delivering information and designing education that produces measurable behavior change in older adults. Participants will examine intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence learning, differentiate health literacy from cognitive impairment, consider how generational experiences may shape communication and learning preferences, and apply principles of adult learning theory and behavior change science to enhance engagement and self-efficacy. Practical strategies for caregiver integration, technology use, and real-world system considerations will be emphasized. This course is designed for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and nursing professionals practicing in adult settings—including outpatient, acute care, home health, and long-term care.

Objectives: • Analyze factors contributing to ineffective patient education in older adults, including health literacy, ageism, and social determinants of health • Discriminate between intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence learning and behavior change in older adult patients • Distinguish between health literacy limitations, cognitive impairment, sensory deficits, and generational influences when designing individualized patient education strategies • Apply principles of adult learning theory and behavior change science to enhance patient engagement and self-efficacy • Prepare patient education strategies that incorporate caregiver engagement, technology, and practical system considerations to improve outcomes

Presenter(s): Jennifer Lucas, PT, DPT, GCS

Status: Active

Activity Difficulty Level: Advanced

Domains:

• Assessment
• Evaluation and Diagnosis
• Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility
• Risk Reduction
• Wellness and Health Literacy
• Therapeutic Intervention

Format: Virtual Asynchronous - On Demand

Dual Credentials and JA: Nursing Professionals, Occupational Therapy Professionals, Other, Physical Therapy Professionals

Start Date & Time: 11/05/2026 12:00 AM CST

End Date & Time: 01/31/2031 11:59 PM CST

Cost: $200.00

Capacity: 100

CEUs: 2.25