Cognitive, motor, and sensory decline are common with aging and contribute to functional deficits and fall risk. Treatment strategies that targeted these 3 systems can maximize therapeutic outcomes. The aquatic environment provides unique benefits compared to land for older individuals. Water immersion and exercise increase cerebral blood flow and provide support for functional mobility often with less need for external assistance creating an ideal environment to focus on cognitive-motor-sensory training. This session will explore the use of the aquatic environment as part of an effective rehabilitation intervention for older adults with a focus on cognitive-sensory-motor training. The information from this session will be applicable for a variety of patient populations but will focus on older adults.

Emily Dunlap, PT is a distinguished physical therapist and postdoctoral research affiliate in the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas. With a substantial background as a clinical aquatic physical therapist, she has worked across diverse settings, including inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Over the last decade, Emily transitioned her focus towards teaching and research. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and played a pivotal role as the inaugural chairperson in the development of the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency Certificate program. Emily's contributions to this program earned her prestigious recognition, including the Judy Cirullo award for outstanding promotion of aquatic physical therapy and the Richard Ruoti research award for excellence. She has also authored chapters in three aquatic therapy-related textbooks and has published original research on topics related to rehabilitation in aquatic settings. Emily holds certifications in Halliwick, Bad Ragaz Ring Method, Ai Chi, and Watsu (level III). Currently, as the proprietor of Aquatic Therapy Pro, Emily engages in a wide range of roles as a researcher, clinician, and education consultant. She oversees an aquatic rehabilitation journal club with active international participation. Emily's career objective is to expand the body of evidence in the field of aquatic rehabilitation.