CNYGEC
Spotlight

The Rural Connection – Summer 2024
The Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Rural Health (ORH) is providing innovation in service delivery options for rural Veterans. This latest issue highlights Thrive- ORH’s 2023 Annual Report, and support for  rural Veterans thinking more about military experience as they age. Read these and more at ORH_The_Rural_Connection_Newsletter_Summer_2024_508c_05162024.pdf (va.gov)

Fall 2023 Virtual Dementia Education Series –
From a collaboration of the Alzheimer’s Association Chapters of New York State and the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center, brings a series of dementia education virtual activities. CMEs and SW credits are offered at no cost. For more information and to register, go to Fall 2023 Virtual Dementia Education Series

Dementia Resources for Caregivers and Families
A GRECC-Connect team of interdisciplinary geriatric specialists reviewed over 100 online dementia resources and selected the best options available to assist and support people with dementia and their families. They took care in choosing the most informative and easy to use resources in varied formats (booklet, brochure, video etc.) that are nationally available for viewing online. Access these resources Dementia Resources for Caregivers and Families (gerischolars.org)

VA Connection Plans
Do you know an older Veteran at risk of, or dealing with, social isolation?  From VISN 5 MIRECC, VA Connection Plans is an intervention designed to help older adults practice behaviors that increase feelings of social connection and well being. Learn more about VA Connection Plans here.

Resources for Managing Stress during COVID-19
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can take an emotional as well as a physical toll on any of us.  But there are strategies that can help with stress, grief, and anxiety.  From the VA’s National Center for PTSD, links to information and resources to support self-care, the work of providers and responders, and community efforts.  Go to the resources here.

Cognitive Impairment, an Education Guide
For the older adult and their families, learn about different types of cognitive impairments & diseases and when and where to seek professional help. Go to the guide here.

Resources in Geriatrics for Hospitalists
There is a new section on the homepage of the Geriatric Scholars Community of curated topics appropriate to hospitalists who work with older adults.  Registration, at no cost, is required at www.gerischolars.org.

Gerofit: Veterans in Action
From the Durham GRECC, Gerofit is a supervised exercise program with online resources to promote health and wellness for older Veterans.  Learn about Gerofit here.

Brain Health and Quality of Life in Aging: Tips on Staying Sharp and Active
This is a patient education brochure from VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care services.  The brochure lists reasons for problems with memory and details a few ways you can help. Download this brochure here to share with the older adult in your life. 

Caregiver Training Videos of Challenging Behaviors
From the Multicampus Programs in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, a series of videos to help caregivers in understanding and managing behaviors associated with dementia. Go to the website here.

Rural MIRECC YouTube Channel
Check out the variety of training videos, focused on geriatric care, accessible at the VA Rural Mental Illness Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC) YouTube channel.  Select the channel here.

Caregivers Video Series
To educate and aid caregivers of older Veterans, the VHA Office of Rural Health funded caregivers video series, each of which are broken up into modules on specific topics ranging from dementia to home safety.  Select the video series here.

Available Trainings

Clinical Case Study – Pain Management for Older Cancer Patients – free accredited eLearning activity
The purpose of this vignette is to present a clinical case study in pain management in older cancer patients. Case studies are a mechanism to obtain the most amount of clinically relevant information in geriatric care in the least amount of learner time. For registration and access: VA staff click here. Non-VA staff here.

VISN 2 GRECC Virtual Conference: Updates in Geriatrics and Palliative Care – VA access only. (no accreditation available for this recorded session)
The purpose of this recorded half day webinar is to provide VA healthcare teams the knowledge and tools to care for older Veterans. The webinar covers four areas; comprehensive geriatric assessment, palliative care and the end-of-life, assessing for dementia, and pharmacologic treatment approaches to dealing with difficult behaviors. To access the recording select here.

Healthcare Planning and Management for Older Adults with Dementia – free accredited eLearning activity
The purpose of this vignette is to present a clinical case study in healthcare planning and management of older adults with dementia.  Case studies are a mechanism to obtain the most amount of clinically relevant information in geriatric care in the least amount of learner time.  For registration and access: VA staff select here. Non-VA staff select here.

Impact of COVID-19 on Dementia Care: Lessons Learned From Providers – free accredited online course
The purpose of this recorded knowledge based 3 hour webinar is to provide healthcare
teams with an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning to improve dementia care management in the time of COVID-19. For registration and access: VA staff select here.  Non-VA staff select here.

Next Steps in Assessment of Patients Diagnosed with Dementia: A Holistic Approach – free accredited online course
This is a 3 hour self-paced interdisciplinary learning opportunity to improve dementia care management throughout the VA system and community partnerships.  It also utilizes innovative technology to increase access to patient-centered education for providers nationwide.  For registration and access: VA Staff select here.  Non-VA staff select here.

The Program for Advancing Cognitive disorders Education for Rural Staff (PACERS) – free accredited eLearning courses
From the VISN 16 MIRECC, the ORH funded PACERS – a FREE series of 6 accredited e-learning courses.  PACERS is an education program for health care staff who care for Veterans with cognitive disorders and their caregivers.  While this program targets rural health care staff, providers working in any setting can benefit from this information. To visit the VISN 16 MIRECC website for more information, select here.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Educational opportunities include:
* Free monthly Care Connection Webinar Series for Caregivers: Next webinar, Hearing Loss and Dementia: From Public Health to Clinical Insights, on Thursday October 10, 1:00pm to 2:00pm EDT
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America | AFA CARE CONNECTION WEBINAR: OCTOBER 10 2024 (alzfdn.org)

* Missed a Care Connection Webinar? Available archived recordings – visit www.alzfdn.org/webinar-archives
* On site trainings for organizations – visit www.alzfdn.org
* Virtual Dementia Tour for groups – visit www.alzfdn.org
* 6 hour DVD training through Dementia Care professionals of America (DCPA) division

Try This: Assessing Etiology of Orthostatic Hypotension in Older Adults
Orthostatic hypotension is common in older adults and may lead to falls, diminished function and decreased quality of life. Assessing for the etiology of orthostatic hypotension may help identify reversible causes and expedite possible treatment.

An Empathy Video That Asks You To Stand in Someone Else’s Shoes
If you could stand in someone else’s shoes… Hear what they hear.  See what they see.  Feel what they feel.  Would you treat them differently?

Panel Discussion Video by Tribal Care Providers
This video is of the panel discussion by tribal care providers who have used the REACH into the Indian Country program. The program is an award winning, evidence-based program to support caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.