About Postural Stability Instructor
Vision
To provide a range of professionals the skills to deliver effective and fun exercise opportunities for older people with a fear or history of falls
Aims, Objectives and Content
Content
The course examines the prevalence and consequences of falls and fractures, costs, demographic trends and the implications for independence and quality of life. The theoretical work covers the physiological and psychological systems involved in postural stability and bone health and the impact of disease processes on falls and fractures. Risk assessment and health and safety related to accident prevention are key areas, together with the practicalities of establishing a programme. Practical work examines the structure of a falls prevention programme with considerable emphasis being placed on how to demonstrate, adapt and progress exercises and provide alternatives for individuals with specific medical conditions; also the skill of supervising group exercise. Candidates are required to identify a “faller” and complete a Case Study as part of the assessment. To view some photos from past PSI courses, click here.
Course Aims
- Provide training for exercise and health professionals to facilitate service provision and meet National Service Framework standards
- Establish quality-assured service provision in community settings
- Enable consistency in communication, understanding of roles and sharing of skills between the professionals involved
- Enable self-referral into the programme following pre-assessment, and acknowledgement from GP
- Improve access for this vulnerable group of participants by increasing frequency and flexibility of exercise programmes
- Encourage education about the benefits of exercise for reducing falls and injury among primary care professionals and lay people
Following completion of the course, the candidate should:
- be able to plan and deliver an exercise programme for frailer older people, which will safely and effectively improve their physical function, and in particular their postural stability, in order to reduce their risk of falls.
- be able to support this practice with relevant background knowledge of – - The causes and consequences of falls and fall-related injuries. – The evidence relating to physical activity, falls and fall-related injuries. – The medical conditions and medications likely to be encountered. – The adaptations to practice, programming and supervision of falls and injury prevention sessions
Course Objectives
- Provide safe, effective, enjoyable exercise programmes
- Provide graded transitions between the primary care and community leisure settings
- Build on the functional gains achieved through physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Provide support to physiotherapists working in the clinical and community setting
- Provide on-going assessment of health and functional capacity
- Provide social opportunities to increase long-term commitment to exercise
Duration
The Courses run over four teaching days with a fifth study day and a final assessment day (six days total). The six days are spread over a period of 8 to 12 weeks to allow sufficient time, between course days, for ‘home’ revision and set course work. The courses can be run on both weekdays and weekends depending on demand. Each day runs from 9am to 6pm (54 contact hours) and there is approximately 200 hours of non-contact revision and learning time.
Resources
All candidates will be supplied with 3 course manuals covering “Knowledge Base”, “The Practice” and “Resources”. The “Knowledge Base” is issued at least two weeks before commencement of the course and is essential prior reading. Candidates will also receive an assessment handbook that is used on the course.
References
Click here to see the list of publications related to the Postural Stability Instructor course.
Specialist Tutors
The Later Life Training tutor team is made up of physiotherapists and specialised exercise educators, with specific expertise and experience working in falls prevention and adult education. In addition to the Later Life Training tutor team, there are lectures given by a local geriatrician.
You can download a PSI Flyer
Background Information
Introduction
There is good evidence that tailored, specific exercise can improve postural stability and reduce other risk factors for falls and injurious injuries including osteoporotic fracture. It is essential, therefore, that Primary Health Care Teams and Social Services, ideally placed to detect individuals with a risk or history of falling, recognise the benefits of, and promote, referral into an appropriate exercise programme.
The course has been specifically designed to improve postural stability and reduce the risk of falls. It has been developed by a team with extensive expertise in the fields of research, exercise, medicine and general practice, falls and injury prevention, rehabilitation, education, social services and public health.
It is a recognised, validated course; the first of its kind worldwide to lead to a specialist qualification in the provision of therapeutic exercise for reducing the risk of falls and fractures.
Above all, this module is practical, evidence-based and inter-disciplinary in nature, and aims to prepare candidates to promote independence and reduce falls among older people through the delivery of safe, effective, specialised exercise programmes.
Original Development Team
The Training Curriculum, first developed in 1999, is supported by a National Advisory Group consisting of key personnel from Age Concern England, Ageing Well Active Age Unit; BHF National Centre For Physical Activity and Health, Loughborough University; Extend; Health Development Agency; Help The Aged; National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People; Research Into Ageing; Department of Primary Care & Population Science, Old Age Psychiatry & Health Services for Elderly People, University College School of Medicine & Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London; Department of Geriatric Medicine, King’s College London: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Edinburgh University; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital; Departments of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust and Medical School. For more information on the development of the PSI training, see our history.
Evaluation
New Guidelines for Exercise Programming for the Frail Elderly have been published by the Better Ageing Collaborative based on the results of the European Commission Framework V Better Ageing Project. The project used the FaME programme as the basis of the exercise intervention and the original protocol for the FaME exercise intervention is cited. Click here to view.
The Wiltshire Health promotion services works with PSIs to ensure good practice in evidence based exercise provision in their falls service, Click here.
Evaluations from students on the course can be seen on the right in the testimonials section of the page. Finally, some published research papers (with PSIs as instructors) can be viewed in the Resources section and some new research (with PSI instructors) can be viewed in the News section.
Endorsements/Accreditation
The PSI Course is endorsed by Skills Active and REPs. at Level 4. Current members of REPS receive 20 credits. The course is also accredited by Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh. This accreditation allows the potential for prior learning credits (20 credits at SCQF Level 8 ) after successful completion of the PSI course at other University’s towards a degree.
The course also has Endorsed Training Status with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
The course is endorsed by the following key NGO’s: Age UK (Help The Aged & Age Concern); AGILE; BGS; BHF NCPAH; NCAA; IsPAPOFF; ProFaNE.
Evidence Base
Finally, visit the Resources section where the papers and information forming the evidence base behind the PSI course can be viewed.
Assessment
CPR
Evidence of current CPR proficiency must be brought to the assessments.
Theory Paper
Candidates will take a 2 hour theory paper on Day 5.
Practical, Session Plan and Self Evaluation
On Day 6 they will produce a session plan, then teach and self-evaluate their teaching of a falls prevention exercise session for 1 hour. This will include a warm up followed by dynamic endurance and balance exercises, strengthening and flexibility exercises – floor, chair and standing alternatives – walking and adapted Tai Chi movements. Particular emphasis will be placed on specific adaptations and progressions. A minimum of 40 minutes of teaching will be observed.
Case Study
They will also have to complete a Case Study on a “faller” and submit the written case study and undergo an oral viva, lasting 20 minutes, relating to this individual.
Costs
The full course cost is £595 plus VAT (£650 + VAT from 1st April 2012) per applicant and includes the Course Manuals, Assessments and Certification. You may be eligible for a discount, see if you qualify.
Refer/Defer Costs
Sign up for the practical assessments occurs on Day 3 and charges will occur if you do not attend on your signed up assessment day.
Should you refer, there are resit costs:
Practical assessment resit – £90
Session plan resit – £25
Theory Paper resit – £35
Case Study resit – £35
Plus you may have to take into consideration costs for travel and accommodation if the new course assessments are not local.
Apply
If there are no courses in your area we will initiate a course as soon as there is enough interest in an area.
Hosting a Course
If you are interested in hosting a PSI course in your area, we do offer discounts to hosts depending on the number of applicants enrolled, just contact the LLT Office. View the PSI Host Terms and Conditions here.
Candidate Eligibility and Guidelines
In brief, candidates should have relevant recognised qualifications and/or evidence of relevant training/caseloads in their specialty. You can download the Eligibility Guidelines here.
The following guidelines have been drawn up to ensure that professional roles, skills/competencies and experience are matched to the needs involved in supervising falls prevention exercise with this vulnerable client group. These guidelines are intended to act as markers to ensure the highest possible entry standards of practice as well as to indicate the level at which the course is aimed. It is important to note that this course is designed for those with a prior history of learning at an advanced level and who have some background of exercise delivery with older people. People being released from work commitments must be supported by their workplace in order to complete the qualification and those who are self-employed must recognise the need for putting aside time for revision and the case study on top of the days they are attending the course.
Generic
All candidates will need to have evidence of prior learning in * basic anatomy and physiology * the health benefits of physical activity * First Aid and CPR Evidence of current CPR certification must be produced to obtain this PSI qualification
Exercise and Fitness Professionals
Exercise instructors will need
- evidence of recognised qualifications and training in ageing and exercise
- evidence of experience of delivery of exercise sessions for older populations within the previous 2 years
- evidence of observation of a falls specialist programme within a hospital or primary care setting
- evidence of professional registration i.e. REPs
- a reference from a senior colleague working in the fields of health and fitness
Leisure Managers wishing to attend to increase knowledge and understanding will need
- evidence of recognised qualifications and training in the management of sport, recreation and leisure
- evidence of experience of management of physical activity programmes within a recreation and leisure setting
- evidence of training in management of special populations within a recreation and leisure setting
- evidence of professional registration
- a reference from a senior colleague in recreation management
Health Care Professionals
Physiotherapists will need
- evidence of a relevant caseload e.g. specialists in elderly care, orthopaedics etc
- evidence of experience of delivery or commitment to delivery and/or supervision of delivery of exercise, to frailer older people in their work setting
Occupational therapists will need
- evidence of a relevant caseload e.g. specialists in elderly care, orthopaedics etc
- evidence of working within the therapies or with a senior physiotherapist on the exercise aspects of the management plan
Therapy / Rehabilitation / Health Care Assistants or Support Workers or Nurses will need
- evidence of previous training in ageing and exercise or recent advanced level learning
- evidence of experience of, or commitment to, delivery of exercise to frailer older people in the health setting
- evidence of being supervised by a physiotherapist or of working within the therapies
- willingness to undertake an appropriate access course if necessary
- reference from a senior staff member or colleague within the therapies
Health managers will need
- evidence of recognised qualifications and training in the management of health organisations
- evidence of experience in management within the health service or other health organisations
- evidence of professional registration
Medical Conditions and Learning Support Requirements
We encourage everyone to be responsible for their own learning. In light of this, we ask that you please inform us, at point of application, about any learning support requirements and/or medical conditions support that will help you to access our course content and learn effectively. All information will be treated confidentially and we will make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs. If you happen to have a latex allergy, for example, please tell us and we can provide a latex free theraband for your course.
Where Next?
PSI CPD
Continuing Professional Development is available for PSIs, please see the PSI CPD page for more information and costs.
Want to refresh your teaching skills?
Find out more about coming to a half day on a course near you.
Career Progression ideas?
An article on career progression from PSI to Physical Activity co-ordinator can be viewed here.
