Basics of Geriatric Care Training Modules

With a majority of the resident population in nursing homes and assisted living communities being of advanced age, caregivers need a sound foundation in geriatric care. Health Education Network is pleased to offer a program that helps staff development staff, nursing administrators, and other nursing leadership staff teach the basic principles and practices of geriatric care to all levels of employees.

This program presents core knowledge crucial to the care of older residents. Topics included are:
• Age-related changes to each body system
• Effects of aging on mental and intellectual function
• Unique factors in helping older residents meet the need for respiration, circulation, nutrition, elimination, movement, rest and sleep, comfort, and safety
• Differences in symptoms and presentation of illness
• Quality of life issues

This program is divided into six modules:
1. The Aging Process; Mental Function in Late Life
2. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
3. Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary System
4. Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems
5. Nervous System and Sensory Organs
6. Endocrine and Immune Systems

Each module provides the core knowledge pertaining to the topic. Additional content appropriate for the LPN and then the RN are added to the core content to reflect the differences in their practice levels. Teaching tips are recommended, also. Each module is designed for one teaching hour. Feel free to be creative and supplement with additional content and teaching methods as you believe appropriate for your staff. The content can be taught as 6 modules on different days (e.g., as biweekly or monthly inservice education programs) or as one full day workshop.

If you choose to teach only selected modules or if nurses do not participate in the entire program, they will not be able to obtain contact hours, although each module they have participated in can be used toward inservice education requirements at your discretion.

If desired, nurses can obtain six contact hours for complete of the entire six modules. To obtain the contact hours, they must have:
• Been instructed in all six modules
• Pass the test with a score of at least 80%
• Complete an evaluation form
•Pay a fee of $25
The Registration Form included at the end of this packet is to be used for nurses who wish to obtain contact hours.

The Certificate showing the contact hours obtained will be sent to the nurse. If desired, the instructor can send multiple Registration Forms together and have the certificates returned to the instructor.

The Basics of Geriatric Care contains core knowledge that all long term care nursing staff should have and can prove beneficial as part of an orientation program and ongoing inservice education.