Geriatric Oral Health Training
This learning module was developed to teach providers about the role of oral health on promoting quality of life for older adults. It presents a simple model and set of tools and techniques that can be used to improve oral health care. The sections on the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and the Oral Health Care Plan (OHCP) contain interactive practice exercises, as well as printable copies of these tools.
Geriatric Lecture Series
The Geriatric Lecture Series is a collection of video presentations devoted to topics in clinical geriatrics, designed to teach important principles in the care of older adults. Presentations are given by Marianne Smith.
Preventing Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related morbidity and mortality among older adults. Participate in this module to learn strategies for assessing fall risk in older adults and utilizing single, multiple and multifactorial fall prevention interventions.
Elder Abuse and Self-Neglect
Elder abuse and self-neglect occur among older adults regardless of gender, race or ethnicity, living arrangements, health status or socioeconomic status. Participate in this module to learn how to detect warning signs, utilize screening and assessment tools, and optimize your role in an interdisciplinary team responding to elder abuse and self-neglect.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is an approach to aggressively treat symptoms and improve quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illness. Participate in this module to learn the role of the interdisciplinary palliative care team in relieving symptoms, pain and the stress of a serious illness. Learners will recognize clinical situations where palliative care may improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Common Acquired Hospital Complications of the Older Adult
Hospitalization and readmission rates (“revolving door syndrome”) are extremely high among older adults. Approximately, 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of being discharged, and 56% readmitted within one year of discharge. Hospitalizations among older adults disproportionately result in poor outcomes. Participate in this module to learn about five common complications experienced by hospitalized older adults—functional decline, delirium, falls, pressure injuries and adverse medication effects.
Caregiver Burden
An estimated 21% of U.S. households are impacted by caregiving responsibilities for older adults. Participate in this module to learn to identify risk factors associated with caregiver burden, how to utilize assessment instruments for identifying burden, and how best to employ resources to assist caregivers to develop coping skills to reduce burden. This module will enable you to support caregivers to become more confident and proficient in their caregiving capabilities, and reduce their strain and avoid burnout.
Community Services for the Older Adult: Access and Payment Systems
While most people prefer to live their final years in the familiar setting of their homes with their families and in their communities, most of the state and federal funding has been directed to caring for people in institutions. Participate in this module to learn the types of home and community based services available through federal and state programs. This module will enable you to assist older adults and their families in accessing those programs locally.
Sleep Quality of the Older Adult
Nearly 40% of older adults report difficulty falling asleep and 30% experience nighttime awakening. Participate in this module to better understand age-related sleep changes and common types of sleep disorders in older adults. Learners will learn to assess sleep problems, utilize diagnostic testing and manage common sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, sleep movement disorders, circadian rhythm sleep disorders and REM sleep behavior disorders.
The Process of Aging
People are living longer and it is imperative that healthcare providers understand the aging process. Participate in this module to learn about the current theories about the physiologic process of aging, understand the effects of aging on major organ systems and differentiate normal aging from pathology.