Steve Hoffacker LLC, is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval pending. This distance learning-interactive activity is offered at .5 CEUs, introductory educational level for Category One, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
This half-day (0.5 CEUs and 5 Contact Hours) elective class of original material by Master CAPS Instructor and AOTA Approved Provider Steve Hoffacker was inspired by the need for CAPS professionals, and especially therapists, to interpret and understand the needs of individuals for using stairs and steps in and around their homes.
This class is specifically intended to address the needs of occupational therapists as an introductory level class in Contemporary Issues & Trends for Category One, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery as you explore opportunities to leverage your CAPS training and provide non-clinical services in the home for the residents, their families and guests, regardless of their abilities or the nature of their dwelling.
This course also is appropriate for physical therapists, consultants, case managers, move managers, family members, those with a construction or landscaping background, and others interested in understanding how people go from one level to another in and about the home by using stairs, steps, or assistive devices.
There is no prerequisite for this course, but completing the CAPS designation program is recommended. While it can be taken by non-CAPS professionals as well, there are some references to the CAPS material that would be helpful to understand.
This is being offered as a live Zoom, synchronous, interactive, distance learning class with PowerPoint and is not self-paced or pre-recorded.
This is not a required class for any designation but a continuing education course providing 5 hours for people who track and self-report their hours. Presently, the CEU hours count for AOTA, APTA, NAHB/CAPS, AIBD, and NKBA designations, and possibly others.
The class was prepared especially for occupational and physical therapists and anyone else who needs a better understanding of how exterior residential environments and treatments have a bearing on safety, comfort, convenience, and accessibility for aging in place.
Steve receives no compensation from any of the brand names or companies mentioned or referenced and has no financial interest in any outside organizations.
This class is not limited to any particular occupation or country, but there is a major emphasis on the role of occupational therapists in providing aging in place services such as the ones described in this course. Since this is a new direction for clinical occupational therapists, the material is considered introductory in nature but extremely relatable and valuable.
Specifically, by the end of the program, you will be able to:
- State the 3 facets of stairs or steps that impact their safe usage
- Recall the major safety issue with open-tread steps
- Describe common challenges with approaching a home and going inside
- Cite at least 5 issues with the presence of steps on the property
- Compare wooden, steel, and concrete steps for safety and usage
- Contrast open versus closed tread steps for safety and usage
- Identify common contrast issues that might be present on steps
- Suggest ways to eliminate such contrast issues
- Specify how color, lighting, and adjacent surfaces can impact safe stair usage
- Relate how someone’s ability can impact their willingness and relative success in using stairs
- Discuss vision, balance, and other concerns with stair and step design
The agenda followed for this program is:
- Section 1 Introduction
- Section 2 Stairs Are A Fact Of Life
- Section 3 Stairs & Steps To the Entry
- Section 4 Stairs & Steps Inside The Home
- Section 5 Stairs & Steps In The Backyard
- Section 6 Conclusion
- Questions / Post-Course Evaluation
Successful completion of the course is attendance for the entire event, participation in the activities and discussion, having an active camera, and obtaining a 70% passing score on the in-class knowledge/skill check questions.
Anyone requiring special considerations or accommodations to attend the classes for vision, hearing, or comprehension speed should contact Steve prior to the class or use the accessibility widget on the site.
In order to keep the format of the classes interactive and to be able to answer everyone’s questions, class sizes will be kept small and registration may be closed once the optimal class size has been reached. There are several additional offerings of this class, however.
