Drug Therapy in Older Adults
Polypharmacy and adverse drug events are common in older adults and occur across care settings. Participate in this module to learn about polypharmacy consequences in older adults, practice implications of non-adherence and polypharmacy, common drug-drug and drug-food interactions, and common adverse drug events in older adults. Learn practical approaches to improving medication prescribing and monitoring.
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.
What Matters
This toolkit authored by Edward Ratner contains resources for teaching learners how to obtain information from older patients and their family or other caregivers that aligns with their specific health outcome goals and care preference. These resources provide content related to the "What Matters" concept in the 4Ms framework of an Age-Friendly Health System. It contains introductory material appropriate for undergraduate and graduate level learners. This toolkit contains two components: a Learner Module and a compendium of Teaching and Learning Resources.
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.
Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions: Challenges in the Care of Older Adults
An increasing number of people are living with Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC). These older adults with MCC experience a high level of “illness burden” (poor quality of life, depression, “treatment burden” (multiple uncoordinated visits, polypharmacy) and lack of person-centered care (low continuity, lack of focus on patients’ priorities). This module covers optimizing care for older adults with MCC by reducing treatment burden and unplanned care.
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.
Medically-Necessary Dental Care: A Major Step Toward Oral Health Care for All
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken an important step toward improving oral health outcomes that are linked to overall health. On November 3, CMS announced that Medicare will begin making payment in 2023 for dental services necessary to identify and eliminate oral and dental infections prior to, and contemporaneously with, organ transplant, cardiac valve replacement, and valvuloplasty procedures.
