TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: GERIATRICS PROGRAMMING AT THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

摘要

In 2008, the Institute of Medicine report Retooling for an Aging America noted that the nation was ill prepared to meet the growing social and health care needs of older adults to age in place. Compounding this issue is the dramatic shortage of all types of health care workers, especially those in primary care settings, who have adequate training in geriatrics. In addition, the professional, paraprofessional, and caregiver geriatrics workforces continue to have insufficient education regarding ways to integrate geriatrics knowledge and skills into primary care. This symposium revisits the report’s original recommendations and explores the report’s impact over the last decade. In particular, the session will highlight how this report has influenced the development of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). The goal of the GWEP is to transform clinical training environments to integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery systems to ensure trainees are well prepared to practice in and lead these kinds of systems. Awardees are required to create and deliver community-based programs that provide health care practitioners, direct services workers, patients, families and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes and quality of care for older adults. In addition, support for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias education and training is available. This symposium additionally provides technical assistance about the GWEP as well as evaluation data that demonstrates successes of the program.