Resource Center

This toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helps senior centers integrate suicide prevention into activities that support well-being. It describes activities that increase protective factors, and explains how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and a suicide attempt or death. Several tools for providers along with fact sheets for older adults.

This toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) equips senior living staff with resources to promote mental health, suicide prevention, and encourages active participation among residents. It includes guidelines for integrating suicide prevention into ongoing programs, hands-on tools, and training manuals.

Designed for organizations that provide services to older adults, this toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers information and materials to help understanding the issues associated with substance misuse and mental illness in older adults. The toolkit also contains materials to educate older adults.

This primary care toolkit from the National Osteoporosis Foundation aims to increase the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients who are at risk for fractures by physicians and other healthcare professionals in primary care practice. As the patient's "medical home," primary care is the ideal setting for implementing and overseeing these evidence-based fracture prevention strategies. The toolkit includes education on osteoporosis and fractures as well as fall risk assessments. 

The Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) is a screening tool for primary care health providers developed by the Geriatrics Devision of Saint Louis University. The RGA includes assessment of frailty, nutrition, loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), and cognitive function. For more information on using this free tool, email aging@slu.edu.

The Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam is an assessment tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Before administering the SLUMS, the training video should be viewed and then annually reviewed. The tool is intended for use by social services, reflections/passages program coordinators, licensed nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, residence supervisors, and other qualified health care professionals. Instructions for use of the tool, including supplemental videos, are available on this web page.

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.