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 Class Overviews Gerontology Online is a web-based continuing education program for health care providers who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of aging. Program participants have opportunities to learn about the latest in aging research, education methods, current publications, and best practices that they may integrate into their practice or teaching. Each course within Gerontology Online is eight weeks. An overview of key concepts and processes of aging from multiple perspectives is presented. Topics include theories and developmental concepts of aging; images of healthy aging; quality of life and ethical issues related to aging; adaptation and aging well; palliative care; and public policy issues faced by today’s and tomorrow’s aging population.
Based on the Core Curriculum in Ethnogeriatrics (HRSA, 2000), this course focuses on increasing awareness and competence related to health care service issues faced by the growing numbers of minority and disadvantaged older adults. An emphasis on health beliefs, values, disease patterns, and health service utilization facilitates the learner's knowledge of providing culturally competent care to this group.
This course examines the impact of environmental factors (i.e., social, living arrangements, long-term care environment, etc.) on the aged. How environmental factors may be modified to facilitate a model of capacity-building and capacity-maintenance for diverse groups of older adults is stressed throughout the course. Mental Health and Aging (8 continuing education credits) The focus of this course is mental health processes and aging. Normal and abnormal changes in cognitive and memory processes, psychiatric disorders, effects of loss, and substance misuse by older adults are discussed. Therapeutic modalities, including interactive therapies, pharmacology, activity therapies, crisis intervention, and alternative therapies, are described in relation to various mental health problems in the aged. Interdisciplinary team models are becoming more widely recognized as effective methods to manage geriatric care. The focus of this seminar is to explore geriatric issues that cross multiple disciplines including pain management, geropharmacology, ethical issues, and health care service delivery across various settings. Each team member adds to the management of older adult clients from the perspective of his/her own discipline and expertise. The clinical component of the seminar allows learners to participate in interdisciplinary care planning and management of older adults in various health care settings, particularly those in underserved areas, based on areas of interest. Incorporating current gerontological nursing standards of care from various sources (ANA & AACN's Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice, NGNA’s Core Curriculum, Hartford Foundation's Best Nursing Practice in Care for Older Adults), this course focuses on the most recent advances in the field of aging for assessing and managing care of diverse groups of elders in various settings. Evidence-based content covers common geriatric health problems and management, preventive services for older adults, and palliative care. Strategies and resources for applying this content in long-term care settings are highlighted. Learners will have opportunities to apply assessment and management concepts in a long-term care setting to demonstrate competencies. Contact For additional information or enrollment support, contact Jon Woodall at (847) 492.6753 or jwoodall@matherlifeways.com.
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