The Seniors’ Health Division (SHD) is the special interest group within the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) dedicated to physiotherapy practice in rehabilitative care of older adults. SHD is comprised of physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and physiotherapy support personnel from across Canada. Our members practice in a variety of settings, including acute geriatric care, geriatric rehabilitative and restorative units, long-term care settings, community-based and home care settings.

Seniors’ Health Division Vision:

Older Canadians are moving, moving more and moving better, with the help of physiotherapists.

Seniors’ Health Division Mission:

To support our members in providing excellent physiotherapy care
to optimize the independence and quality of life of older adults.

 

Meet Our Team

Current Chair: Gabrielle Sadler

Gabrielle Sadler is a physiotherapist who works as a project manager with the Rehabilitative Care Alliance and is the current chair of CPA’s Seniors Health Division. She has completed a Masters Certificate in Health Care Management and is a certified LEAN Six Sigma Black Belt in Health Care Delivery.  Gabrielle leads initiatives that support implementation of quality rehabilitative care across Ontario.

Past Chair: Karla Andrews

Karla Andrews is a physiotherapist and Past Chair of the Seniors Health Division of the CPA. Her primary area of practice is home and community care with special interest in working with individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease. Her passion to provide client-centered, evidence-based physiotherapy services in the community was instrumental in her starting Andrews In-Home Physiotherapy in 2012. She is also a member of the of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association Home Care Advisory Committee.

Treasurer: Dr. Caitlin McArthur

Dr. Caitlin McArthur (treasurer) is an assistant professor in the School of Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University. Her research focuses on preventing falls, fractures, and functional decline among older adults, particularly those living in long-term care or receiving home care. She is a lead instructor of the continuing education course, Bone Fit (TM), hosted by Osteoporosis Canada. Caitlin has practiced in long-term care and private practice.

Finance and Education Coordinator: Grace Liu

Grace Liu is a Physiotherapist, a member of the OPA Finance Committee and an Education Coordinator of the Seniors Health Division at CPA. Grace completed her PhD in Health Policy & Equity in which her research focused on inter-professional and cross-sectoral collaboration for health systems integration. Her post-doctoral research focused on evaluation of a patient navigation program to help older adults with complex care needs transition from hospital to home. Grace is passionate about teaching, research dissemination, and knowledge translation.

Secretary: Kristin Nugent

Kristin Nugent is a current MPT/PhD combined research and direct-entry into clinical practice program student at Western University. Kristin is Secretary of the Seniors Health Division of the CPA. Kristin is conducting research in collaboration with the Amputee Rehabilitation Program at Parkwood Institute in London investigating mobility success and a concern for falling in people with lower limb loss.

Knowledge Translation Representative – Lina Santaguida

Pasqualina Santaguida is a physical therapist and an Assistant Professor in the department oh Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HEI). She has research interests in evidence synthesis, implementation sciences and mobility problems in older adults. More recently, she has clinical interests in mobility related disability in older adults who don’t speak English and osteoarthritis.

Communications Coordinator – Helen Johnson

Helen Johnson is a physiotherapist with experience spanning many health system sectors, including acute care, rehabilitation, home care and specialized geriatric services, as well as management at the hospital and legacy LHIN level.

She completed her Masters’ degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science, Health and Aging at Western University in 2011, and Clinical Specialist Certification in Seniors’ Health, through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) Clinical Specialty Program in 2012. Helen works at Ontario Health West Region, supporting rehabilitative care, long term care and other health system priorities. Helen is a member of the Ontario Rehabilitative Care Alliance (RCA) Steering Committee and provincial Fall Prevention Collaborative.

Benefits of Membership

  • Networking with other physiotherapy colleagues working in seniors care across Canada
  • Access to members-only resources on our website
  • Educational and professional development opportunities
  • Member discounts on division sponsored courses
  • Advocacy for rehabilitative care needs of older adults

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