Geriatric Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
The pillars of preventative geriatric care include screening, counseling and immunizations. Participate in this module to learn about national guideline recommendations for screening older adults, screening special populations, such as veterans, and strategies for counseling older adults about nutrition, exercise, and social connectivity. Learn which immunizations are recommended for older adults and what preventative services are available.
Medication Management in Older Adults
Medication management has a great impact on patient outcomes including reduction of emergency department visits, decreases of serious drug events, reduction of healthcare expenditures, and decreases of medication related problems. Medication management may be completed across a variety of settings by the interprofessional team. Participate in this module to learn about medication review, medication therapy management (MTM), and comprehensive medication management (CMM).
Depression and Delirium of the Older Adult
Delirium and depression may coexist but are not the same diagnosis. Among the older adult population depression may often be confused with delirium or dementia. Participate in this module to better understand the difference between delirium and depression in older adults and learn the standardized tools for measuring cognitive, behavioral, and/or mood changes. Acquire successful strategies for managing delirium and depression using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches.
Depression and Delirium of the Older Adult
Delirium and depression may coexist but are not the same diagnosis. Among the older adult population depression may often be confused with delirium or dementia. Participate in this module to better understand the difference between delirium and depression in older adults and learn the standardized tools for measuring cognitive, behavioral, and/or mood changes. Acquire successful strategies for managing delirium and depression using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches.
Effective Medication Self-Management
This toolkit was authored by Brian J. Isetts in collaboration with Kristine Talley and supported by colleagues of the Interprofessional Geriatrics Coordinating Council. It contains resources for teaching older persons and family caregivers how to conduct a medication self-management assessment. It also contains introductory material appropriate for undegraduate and graduate level learners, and is intended to help older persons confidently manage their medications. The toolkit has two components: a learner module and compendium of teaching and learning resources.
Oral Health and the Older Adult
Total health and wellness are inextricably linked to oral health. Participate in this module to understand the unique oral health needs of the older adult and how to assess and manage common oral health problems. Learn about the impact oral disease has on the physical, psychological, social and economic health and well-being of older adults.
Driving Safety of the Older Adult
Not all changes that occur with age indicate an individual is not able to drive. Participate in this module to understand common reasons which warrant a recommendation for a comprehensive driving evaluation. Learn how to screen and assess older drivers at risk for unsafe driving, enhance older drivers’ driving safety and help older adults ease the transition to driving retirement.
Sexuality and the Older Adult
A healthy sex life is fulfilling and good for multiple aspects of life including physical health and self-esteem. This is true among many older adults who continue to enjoy their sexuality into their 80’s and beyond. Participate in this module to better understand the myths vs. reality of sexual activity among older adults, the importance of assessing the sexual history utilizing the PLISSIT model, and screening for STIs. Acquire successful strategies for managing patients’ sexual dysfunction and provide appropriate patient education for your older adult patients.
Dementia: Patient-Centered Dementia Care- Understanding Patient and Caregiver Experiences
In 2017, over 5 million Americans aged 65 and older had dementia, a progressive and irreversible condition leading to loss of functions such as thinking, memory and reasoning, at times severe enough to interfere with daily life. By 2050, the number of persons living with Dementia is expected to triple. With an increase in the aging population, there is a critical need to understand dementia and identify appropriate assessment and management strategies to address the needs of persons with dementia and support their caregivers and families.
Dementia Reconsidered: Using Medications Wisely
This presentation (1:57:16 minutes) by Susan Wehry and Sydney P. Sprigner discusses medications and people living with dementia. The session reviews current pharmacologic approaches to the care of persons with dementia, with a special focus on the use and misuse of antipsychotic medications. It also reviews successful non-pharmacological approaches to distress-signal behaviors and a discussion of why reducing antipsychotic prescribing to people with dementia remains so important. Deprescribing protocols are made available. Presentation slides are available for download.