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208: “Old Not Weak” How You Should Actually Train Aging Adults With Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCS

Apr 8, 2024

Physical therapist, Dustin Jones, challenges traditional approaches to training aging adults, focusing on the importance of pushing older individuals to their limits for better outcomes. He discusses biases in healthcare, the benefits of heavy lifting and strength training for older adults, and the risks of under-dosing this population. Jones emphasizes the need for proper dosage in training and the value of fitness in maintaining independence for aging individuals.

57:50

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Episode guests

Dustin Jones

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Challenge assumptions about age and strength to avoid underdosing in exercise programs.

Create a supportive community for aging adults in fitness facilities to promote healthy aging.

Offer a holistic approach to fitness for older adults through structured classes and personalized training.

Deep dives

Dustin Jones Background and Evolution into Geriatric Physical Therapy

Dustin Jones shares his journey from being fired from an outpatient orthopedic clinic to discovering his passion in serving the older adult population. Working in a skilled nursing facility in rural West Virginia, he found fulfillment in helping older adults improve their function and health. Witnessing preventable suffering inspired him to challenge norms and innovate in physical therapy practice.

Introduction

3min

Finding Fulfillment in Geriatric Care

10min

Lessons in Teamwork and Humility for Healthcare Professionals

3min

Optimizing Exercise for Older Adults

26min

Building a Community-Oriented Fitness Center

9min

Transitioning from Clinical Setting to Stronger Life Business Focus

2min

Expansion Plans and Franchise Model of a Gym for Aging Adults

2min

Future Plans and Resource Information for Programming Aging Adults

2min

How much are you challenging the older adults you work with What biases do you have about someone when you see their age or comorbidities? Are they limiting how much you push them? Have you ever thought about the consequences of not pushing someone enough?? On today’s show we interviewed Dr. Dustin Jones, PT, DPT, GCS about his approach to working with aging adults and how it challenges the norm. He was working in skilled nursing facilities and seeing nearly everyone with the same exercises and plans of care despite varying abilities. This led to a desire to change the approach to care to be about determining what is really possible for aging adults and questioning why we only reserve more challenging work for those who are younger.

In the episode Dustin explores how many therapists make assumptions (often ageist) about what someone is able or not able to do that isn’t backed up by research. He discusses the fear that something could go wrong when you challenge an older adult and challenges you to consider what could go right. If you approach it the right way, honoring their system and giving time to adapt, older adults have so much to gain by doing heavy lifting and strength training. The bigger risk for this population is actually to underdose them. People who are stronger and more fit have an ability to overcome more illnesses and stay independent longer. We discuss how to have conversations and set expectations for hard work outs that could lead to soreness or even orthopedic flare ups and how this is actually less risky as a consequence of pushing someone than the alternative outcomes that can happen is they aren’t as strong as possible, such as illnesses and chronic conditions from being sedentary.

Keys to success with a fitness forward approach include ensuring the exercises are aligned with the patient’s primary goal. If they have pain, address that first but still have the conversation about where you’re going. Keep tying the exercise approach back to their independence and functional goals, and help them see the connection. Make sure they know the worst thing they can do is stop. Assure them to keep coming back so you can help them through it.

Dustin runs StrongerLife, a gym for people over 55 and teaches Modern Management of the Older Adult as part of the Institute of Clinical Excellence, or PT on ICE.

Learn more about Dustin and StrongerLIfe at www.StrongerLifeHQ.com

Modern Management of the Older Adult - PTonICE.com

@mmoa.icephysio

@strongerlifehq