Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Resources for Providers and for Patients
The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) has ongoing and new age-friendly care resources available to support and build the skills of older adults, family caregivers and providers.
Freely available resources include webinars, online trainings, modules and support groups that the GWEP sites offer as part of their federally funded projects to prepare the healthcare workforce to care for older adults.
The GWEP Coordinating Center (GWEP-CC) at the American Geriatrics Society gathers and promotes these resources.
Resources for older adults and family caregivers include:
- Caregiver Support Group: “Memory Impairment”
When: on Mondays (except holidays) from 12pm-1pm ET via Ochsner Health of the Louisiana GWEP.
Description: Join the online caregiver support group to interact with fellow caregivers, discuss concerns & fears, talk about gratitude, and exchange ideas for solutions to challenges. Educational topics are also discussed, such as hydration, caregiver burnout, nutrition, and hiring professional help. For more information contact, Matt W. Estrade, MA Gerontology, MBA, Project Manager, Ochsner Health System, at mestrade@ochsner.org or 504-842-3960.
Join by: Phone – 646-558-8656 (Meeting ID: 654413870#); Computer – Click here to join; Zoom Smart Phone App – Meeting ID: 654413870# - Grief Support Group: “Loss After Dementia Caregiving”
When: on Mondays (except holidays) from 1:15pm-2:15pm ET via Ochsner Health of the Louisiana GWEP.
Description: Have you lost a loved one to Alzheimer's disease or another cognitive impairment? Did long-term caregiving change much of your life? Consider joining this support group to talk with others in a similar situation.You do not have to be affiliated with or a patient of Ochsner Health. All are welcome.
Join by: For the Zoom link or phone number to join, please contact Matt Estrade at mestrade@ochsner.org.
Resources for providers include:
- Dementia Screening Training in Primary Care via the University of California’s: San Francisco, Irvine, San Diego, Harbor-UCLA, UCLA, UC College of the Law San Francisco.
Description: This online training explains dementia and a screening approach called the Cognitive Health Assessment. Information at dementiacareaware.org. - Age-Friendly Education Modules via Penn State GWEP
Description: The Penn State GWEP has two online education modules available: Age-Friendly Care for Health Care Professionals (clinical facing) and Age-Friendly Care for Older Adults and their Caregivers. - Older Adult Mental Health Online Certificate Program via the CATCH-ON GWEP at Rush
Description: via the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, Collaborative Action Team training for Community Health — Older adult Network (CATCH-ON), the GWEP based at Rush, and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging has a Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Online Certificate Program as a first step in developing competency in older adult mental health. The evidence-based content reflects the knowledge required by a broad range of mental health clinicians. Learn more. - Educational Module: “Stress First Aid for Long Term Care Staff” via The Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center at the University of Rochester Medical.
Description: This is a self-care and peer support model adapted specifically for long-term care health care personnel, developed in partnership by the University of Rochester Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center, Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, and the National Center for PTSD. Learn more. - Telehealth in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Training Modules via The University of Utah Geriatric Education Consortium GWEP.
Description: Adoption of telehealth, in response to COVID-19, has been necessary for LTSS providers, especially for nursing homes with COVID-19 units, so LTSS staff and providers need to be knowledgeable about telehealth principles and best practices in their respective settings. These modules on this topic include quick byte videos and check lists. Learn more.
The Utah Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program also has a similar telehealth training modules and resources for primary care.
GWEP-CC also has two case study series, one on Sustainability and one on Age-Friendly Health Systems, and an Age-Friendly Resources Library.
Additional resources can be found on Minnesota Northstar GWEP's Age Friendly Care and Education Collection, curated online educational, clinical, and research resources for educators, health professionals, learners, and others interested in improving care for older adults.
JAHF funds the American Geriatrics Society to host a GWEP-CC that serves as a strategic resource with educational programming and tailored support for GWEP sites.
Learn more about JAHF's co-support of the GWEP Coordinating Center at AGS.