From assessment to prescription: Maximizing seated postural control and wheeled mobility for the older adult (December 2025)

Online

November 21 - December 4, 2025 (on your own)

December 5 & 12, 2025, from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Seating for older adults is critical to prevent injury and enhance function. A MAT assessment allows therapists to understand the older adult’s postural tendencies and to build a prescription that will correct and prevent asymmetrical tendencies, improve comfort and, when possible, enhance the mobility of the client. By understanding the physics of seating and mobility, occupational therapists can prescribe appropriate seating and mobility systems for older adults that facilitate autonomy, safety, restraint reduction, independence, and participation in meaningful occupations.  …not despite, but because of their age!

This online workshop will explore how seated posture affects pain and the overall capacity of older adults to participate more fully and more comfortably in meaningful occupations.  A prerecorded lecture of a MAT assessment will provide participants an overview of how to complete a MAT assessment and how to recognize asymmetrical postural tendencies. During the synchronous workshop, the presenter will build on this lecture to help participants understand postural tendencies, three-point positioning, and postural/product simulation.  The presenter will review how posterior pelvic and posterior lateral rib cage support assist with thoracic extension for improved posture, breathing, and eating. Participants will be guided through body mechanics and pain/pressure points to understand how seating can make a difference in comfort, pain reduction, and head position to enhance swallowing.  Pain references, body shape, muscle tone, asymmetries, and skin integrity will be addressed. Participants will understand and ultimately be able to suggest appropriate propulsion styles (two-hand, two-feet, one-hand/one-foot) theories in their own clinic settings.  The impact of wheelchair set up on sliding and restraint use will also be reviewed. Participants will have a chance to utilize the information shared to address client case studies throughout the workshop.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Pre-recorded lecture: November 21 - December 4, 2025 (on your own)

Day 1: December 5, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Day 2: December 12, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Be able to do a MAT assessment in your own clinical setting.
2. Understand how postural tendencies affect breathing, swallowing, head position and bowel evacuation.
3. Understand postural tendencies in older adults.
4. Conceptualize how to enhance comfort sitting.
5. Be able to demonstrate three-point positioning and forces related to seated posture.
6. Understand the use of secondary supports and tilt.
7. Understand the physics of hand propulsion in older adults.
8. Be able to identify the three methods of foot propulsion in older adults.
9. Be able to review restraint policies and how seating is affected by these policies in order to gain restraint-free positioning.

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist assistants (OTAs), students in occupational therapy programs and physiotherapists who wish to develop their skills in optimal seating and mobility to facilitate the occupational participation of older adults.

Please note: Participants who previously attended the workshop “Seated posture, pain reduction, and mobility for older adults: Stop the migration!” will find that the content has been updated with additional case studies to allow participants to apply the information learned to case studies. Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc

Client age group

Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice

Acute Care, Assistive Technology, Brain Injury/Concussion/Spinal Cord, Cardio-Respiratory Care, Chronic Disease Management, Chronic Pain, Dysphagia & Digestive Disorders, Equipment Assessments, Generalist, MSK Rehabilitation, MVA Rehabilitation, Neurology, Older Adults, Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Workshop level

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this area of practice)

Please note: Participants with more than this stated level of experience are welcome to attend the workshop. The workshop content will be geared towards those with 0-2 years of experience in this area of practice.

Presenter

Sheila Buck, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Sheila is an occupational therapist and the owner of a seating and mobility consulting company, Therapy NOW, in Ontario, Canada. Sheila has spoken extensively in North America, Ireland, Norway and New Zealand on seating and mobility concepts for the very young to the very old. Her audiences have included, but are not limited to, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, case managers, DME (Durable Medical Equipment) vendors and manufacturers of seating and mobility products.  Her extensive knowledge related to the provision of assistive technology for mobility is reflected in her book More than 4 wheels:  Applying clinical practice to seating, mobility and assistive technology, 3rd edition. This excellent clinical guide is currently being used as a learning tool around the world with over 1200 copies sold. Sheila is also a contributing author in the recently published Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide. Sheila is known for her dynamic sessions which are enhanced by demonstrations of practical suggestions, as well as her compassion for clients and advancing her learning and skills to those with whom she works. 

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by September 24, 2025

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after September 24, 2025

Registration deadline: December 5, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees.

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by November 5, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. All cancellation/refund requests between November 6 and November 12, 2025 will be given a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after November 5, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by November 5, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.  CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before October 10, 2025 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until October 24, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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Please note that workshop is offered in English.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.