Speaker of the Month:

Dr. Jennifer Fernandez, DPT

Seminar Title: Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for the Aging Population

Presentation Date: 11/18/2025

Presentation Time: 10:00 AM

Speaker Bio: Jennifer was born and raised in Southern California. She attended undergrad at UCLA and graduated in 2007 with a BS in Physiological Sciences. She attended the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at APU and graduated in 2010. Jennifer is an assistant Professor at APU and the current Director of Clinical Education in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at APU. Prior to Jennifer’s return to APU, she was working as a clinical Physical Therapist for over 10 years and received her Orthopedic Certificate Speciality (OCS) in 2012. Her primary work was in outpatient orthopedics with an emphasis on pelvic health, pregnant and post-partum orthopedic issues. Jennifer continues to work in the clinic and is excited to be back at APU and having an impact on future physical therapists.

Seminar Details: Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for the Aging Population, is a presentation that will discuss pelvic floor dysfunction and physical therapy for the geriatric population. As the population ages, pelvic health concerns such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain can become increasingly prevalent, impacting independence and quality of life. This session will explore the importance of recognizing and addressing pelvic floor dysfunctions in older adults, highlighting the specialized role and scope of pelvic physical therapy in their management. We will review current assessment and treatment strategies tailored to the aging population, and examine real-life case examples to illustrate clinical reasoning and outcomes. By the end of this presentation, participants will gain practical insights into how pelvic health physical therapy can enhance function, dignity, and overall well-being in older adults.

Seminar Objectives: 

• Understand the importance of pelvic health in older adults
• Explore pelvic floor dysfunctions in the geriatric population
• Identify the role and scope of pelvic physical therapy
• Identify the prevalence and specific types of Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFD), particularly incontinence, in the geriatric population
• Recognize the risk factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI), Overactive Bladder (OAB), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
• Explain the components of a comprehensive pelvic PT evaluation (subjective and objective)
• Detail conservative treatment strategies, including behavioral modifications and physical therapy techniques, for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).