This CPD activity explores key aspects of healthy ageing and geriatric care, focusing on practical strategies to improve quality of life in older adults. Participants will gain insight into the importance of multifactorial falls risk assessment and evidence-based interventions to reduce falls in real-world settings. The session will also address a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management, with particular emphasis on medication safety and appropriate prescribing in older adults. In addition, the role of biokineticists in promoting active ageing, functional independence, and long-term mobility will be highlighted.

You will learn about:

• The importance of a multifactorial risk assessment for falls and real-world interventions to prevent falling in older adults
• A multidisciplinary approach to the management of chronic pain, with a special focus on medication safety in older adults
• The important role of biokineticists in active ageing.

Dr Anu Abraham
Geriatrician and Specialist Physician
Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital
Johannesburg

Dr Anu Abraham is a consultant geriatrician and specialist physician at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).  She also holds the post of South African Geriatric Society (SAGS) secretary since 2023.  She enjoys providing comprehensive care for patients presenting with various geriatric syndromes.  She is working towards establishing a geriatric department as well as palliative care services at CMJAH.

Professor Bilkish Cassim
Associate Professor and Head
Department of Geriatrics
University of KwaZulu-Natal

After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Natal (Black section), Bilkish Cassim went on to obtain a fellowship of the College of Physicians (FCP) and train as a rheumatologist.  She was subsequently appointed as the first head of the Department of Geriatrics at UKZN and established a clinical service and training programme in Geriatrics.  She served as the President of the South African Geriatrics Society for two terms and remains an active member. Bilkish has been an active member of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa having served as President of the College of Physicians, Chair of the Social and Ethics, a senator and currently as a Specialist in Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. She is also an executive member of the National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa.

Julia Wright
Biokineticist
Julia Wright Biokineticist Inc.
Johannesburg

Julia Wright attained a BSc Sports Science, followed by her Honours in Biokinetics, at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Julia has worked as a registered biokineticist in private practice for the last 17 years. Over this time she, and the practice, have developed a special interest in geriatrics and fall prevention. Her team works from private rooms in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, as well as from the Elphin Lodge, Inyoni Creek and Randjes Estate Retirement Villages. Julia has a keen interest in the management of progressive neurological disorders as well as post-operative rehabilitation after joint replacements. She enjoys working with the growing ageing population, particularly in fall prevention and in improving general quality of life through functional strengthening and dynamic balance training. Julia is also a 4th Degree Black Belt and certified International Instructor in the Korean martial art of ITF Taekwon-Do.