Putting the Fun Back into Functional: Creating Purposeful Gait and Balance Challenges
Restoring balance and upright mobility requires exposure to challenge—and, inevitably, to perceived risk. Yet fear of falling often becomes one of the greatest barriers for both clinicians and patients during mobility progression. How can we introduce the right amount of risk to stimulate balance responses without creating unsafe conditions?
In this session, participants will explore how ambulation slings and safe patient handling technology can be used to thoughtfully “engineer in” challenge while “engineering out” the true risk of falls. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, we will examine how to design engaging, task-oriented gait, balance, and ambulation activities that mirror everyday demands. By blending safety, biomechanics, and a little creativity, clinicians can help individuals push their limits, build confidence, and rediscover the FUN in functional mobility training.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify mobility profiles appropriate for progressing static and dynamic balance challenges
- Describe how ambulation slings can be used to promote optimal biomechanics during balance and gait activities
- Adapt everyday, functional tasks into engaging and appropriately challenging balance, gait, and ambulation interventions
12:00 CDT
Přednášející
Andrew Rich MS, OTR/L, CSPHP
Clinical Solutions Manager - Arjo
Andy Rich earned his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in Chicago. After beginning his career in traditional clinical practice, he transitioned into the field of safe patient handling and mobility in 2004—and hasn’t looked back since.A passionate advocate for both caregiver and patient safety, Andy has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals and contributed to the development of industry standards through education, consultation, and program design. Over the past two decades, he has worked as a consultant, clinical manager, and solution manager within Arjo’s MOVE® Programs, partnering with healthcare organizations nationwide to strengthen safety culture, reduce injuries, and transform mobility practices.Andy brings a distinctive blend of clinical expertise, behavioral-based safety, systems thinking, and improvisational comedy to his work—helping complex change feel practical, human, and even enjoyable. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, he is dedicated to creating mobility solutions that keep patients and caregivers safe—and deliver results worth bragging about.