Speaker Series

Objectives:

• Recognize the motor and non-motor signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including early prodromal indicators.
• Understand how Parkinson’s disease affects the gastrointestinal tract and contributes to chronic constipation.
• Identify the clinical consequences of untreated constipation and its impact on patient health, function, and quality of life.
• Learn how to assess bowel function using the Bristol Stool Chart and other clinical assessment tools.
• Review evidence-based approaches for managing constipation, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic therapies, and individualized bowel care programs.
• Explore practical strategies to help improve bowel predictability and support better outcomes for patients living with Parkinson’s disease.

Who should attend:

• Rehabilitation Nurses
• Neurology Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
• Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians
• Neurologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Case Managers
• Rehabilitation Leaders and Educators
• Long-Term Care Clinicians and Home Health Professionals

Objectives:

• Participants will gain a practical, clinically relevant understanding of hemorrhoidal disease across patient populations, including spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Understand the prevalence and risk factors of hemorrhoids, including why patients with SCI are at increased risk
• Differentiate the four types of hemorrhoids and recognize key symptoms such as bleeding, pain, soiling, prolapse, and thrombosis
• Evaluate symptom severity vs. clinical grading and recognize patterns of underreporting
• Compare hemorrhoidal disease in the general population vs. SCI patients
• Review evidence-based management approaches, including conservative care and when procedural intervention may be required
• Apply clinical pearls to improve patient comfort, outcomes, and quality of life

Objectives:

• Describe the underlying pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its associated clinical signs and symptoms.
• Review the epidemiology of ALS, including known environmental exposures and risk factors.
• Explain the role of gut microbiota dysregulation and neuron-toxic molecules in ALS disease progression.
• Identify common gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel dysfunction observed in individuals with ALS.
• Discuss evidence-informed strategies for the assessment and management of constipation in patients with ALS.

Objectives:

• Aging and Pathology of IAD – Learn how aging impacts skin integrity and the biological processes behind IAD. Takeaway: Older adults require proactive, evidence-based care to reduce skin breakdown.
• Prevalence and Risk Factors – Understand how common IAD is and the factors that contribute to its development. Takeaway: Early identification and addressing risks holistically improves outcomes.
• Body Positioning and Nutrition – Explore the role of positioning and nutrition in maintaining skin health and supporting recovery. Takeaway: Proper positioning and adequate nutrition are vital for healing and prevention.
• Prevention and Daily Care – Review best practices for IAD prevention, including cleansing, moisturizing, and routine skin care. Takeaway: Consistent, gentle daily care reduces complications and maintains skin integrity.
• Barrier Products and Treatment – Learn about commonly used barrier products and their correct application. Takeaway: Selecting and applying the right barrier enhances protection and patient comfort.

Objectives:

• Stroke overview: Understand the epidemiology and impact of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
• Bowel health in stroke: Learn how the brain-gut axis contributes to constipation and incontinence.
• Clinical tools: Apply the Bristol Stool Chart and nursing care plans to improve outcomes.
• Targeted care: Explore evidence-based bowel interventions, including ENEMEEZ®.
• Quality of life: Support recovery by reducing complications and enhancing patient comfort.

Objectives:

• Why bowel management is important in the brain injury patient
• Bowel management in the brain injury survivor in the acute rehabilitation setting
• Long-term complications of inadequate bowel management
• Bowel management considerations in the chronic brain injury patient