Resource Center

The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) is a simple function-based tool for screening community-dwelling populations to identify older persons at risk for health deterioration. The VES considers age, self-rated health, limitations in physical function, and functional disabilities. The VES can be used by researchers, health care professionals, and provider organizations.

The goal of this Gerontology Resources for APRN Preceptors and Students toolkit is to make geriatric and gerontological content accessible to those caring for older adults. It is designed with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) students, preceptors, and educators in mind, and it provides a single portal to comprehensive resources. The toolkit is organized by primary care topics and includes links to websites and mobile device apps in the public domain.

The goal of the Gerontology Resources for APRNs in Acute and Emergent Care Settings (2nd edition) toolkit (“Acute Care Resource Guide”) is to make geriatric and gerontological content easily accessible to those caring for older adults in higher-acuity care settings. It is designed with advance practice registered nurse (APRN) students, preceptors, clinicians, and educators in mind, and to provide a single portal to comprehensive resources.

The electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment (eRFA) is a questionnaire developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering and used by doctors on the Geriatrics Service to gauge and understand an older patient’s level of fitness. Studies have shown that the fitness level of cancer patients may expose them to unnecessary risks, side effects, and complications.

This toolkit developed by the Utah Geriatric Education Consortium provides helpful guidance, checklists, resources and best practices to optimize and support telehealth and other virtual services in the long-term services and supports (LTSS) settings, including long-term care (LTC) and assisted living facilities, home health services, and hospice care.

Source: Utah Geriatric Education Consortium, 2021.
https://utahgwep.org/

The electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment (eRFA) is a questionnaire developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering and used by doctors on the Geriatrics Service to gauge and understand an older patient’s level of fitness. Studies have shown that the fitness level of cancer patients may expose them to unnecessary risks, side effects, and complications.

The Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program shares this resource page of peer-reviewed toolkits. These toolkits provide educators with interprofessional resources for teaching introductory aging content. This material is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate-level learners. Each module includes a digital learning activity that introduces the topic to students. Each toolkit also contains teaching and learning activities and resources. Faculty can select the activities that work best for their class.

The Assessment of Cognitive Complaints Toolkit for Alzheimer's Disease (ACCT-AD) provides primary care providers with the tools necessary to recognize normal cognition, diagnose Alzheimer's disease, and identify other cognitive problems requiring specialty referral. An instruction manual explains to primary care providers how to use the assessment tools. The toolkit was developed by the California Alzheimer's Disease Centers (CADCs), a statewide network of 10 dementia care Centers of Excellence.

Social isolation and loneliness can be harmful to the physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health of older adults. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) developed an outreach toolkit to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. These materials include infographics, social media posts, educational flyers, health information, and links to additional resources. These materials can be shared with older adults, caregivers, and health care providers.

Source: National Institute on Aging (NIA).
https://www.nia.nih.gov/

The Creative Caregiving Guide© was created by the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA). The Guide is filled with short video lessons that guide users through hands-on learning experiences, from paintings, poetry, music, storytelling, to drama and dance exercises. It is a free, community-shared, web-based resource specially designed for family and professional caregivers of adults who live with Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive disorders.

Source: Opening Minds through Art (OMA), 2023.