Integrating Technology in Rehab: Helping Older Adults Stay
Independent (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Jennifer Lucas
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This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
Digital health tools are increasingly vital in supporting older adults to age in place, manage their health independently, and stay engaged in their care. Rehabilitation professionals must be prepared to thoughtfully integrate technology into patient-centered care without compromising safety, trust, or therapeutic relationships.
This course offers practical guidance for physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists on introducing, teaching, and sustaining technology use among older adults. Topics include assessing readiness, adapting instruction to meet cognitive and sensory needs, and involving caregivers in the learning process. Learners will also explore how to document technology-supported interventions and use clinical reasoning to determine when tech enhances or detracts from outcomes.
Designed for clinicians working in home health, outpatient, and senior care settings, this course supports both interprofessional collaboration and individual skill development. Whether you’re preparing for board certification or seeking to expand your digital health practice, you’ll gain tools to bridge the digital divide and promote functional independence through technology-enabled care.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the role of technology in promoting equity, independence, and sustainability in aging care
- Examine common barriers and facilitators to technology adoption among older adults
- Implement strategies to introduce and support digital health tools effectively with older adults
- Modify communication and instructional techniques based on individual needs and learning preferences
- Integrate digital tools into therapy plans of care and documentation to enhance engagement in health management among older adults
- Determine when and how to use technology to enhance, not replace, clinical care
Meet your instructor
Jennifer Lucas
Jennifer Lucas, PT, DPT is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy with over 20 years of experience advancing innovative, sustainable approaches to care for older adults. Her career has focused on enhancing patient outcomes through the integration of technology, evidence-based practices, and…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Why Technology Matters in the Care of Older Adults
This chapter explores the why behind integrating technology into care for older adults. Learners will examine the benefits of digital tools in improving access, continuity, and engagement, while also addressing the real-world barriers older adults face in adopting new technology. Topics include the digital divide, common myths about tech use in aging populations, and the ethical responsibility of clinicians to promote digital inclusion. The chapter sets the foundation for using technology not as a novelty, but as a means of enhancing patient-centered care.
2. Teaching Tech: Strategies for Supporting Older Adults in Digital Health
In this chapter, learners will gain practical, evidence-based strategies to help older adults adopt and use health technology confidently. Topics include assessing readiness and tech literacy, adapting teaching methods to accommodate sensory or cognitive limitations, and engaging caregivers as partners. Case examples illustrate the use of wearables, telehealth, exercise apps, and reminders for medications or hydration. Learners will explore how to apply techniques such as teach-back, modeling, and motivational interviewing to reduce fear and foster independence.
3. Bringing It All Together: Documenting and Sustaining Tech-Supported Care
This chapter focuses on integrating technology into clinical practice in ways that are meaningful, billable (when appropriate), and sustainable. Learners will explore how to align tech use with therapy goals, write documentation that reflects technology-supported interventions, and use tools like remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) ethically and effectively. The chapter also addresses clinician reasoning: knowing when technology supports care and when it might create barriers. Real-world examples and templates help clinicians document tech use confidently and communicate its value to payers, patients, and teams.
4. Question and Answer Session
This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session facilitated by Jennifer Lucas.