Elderly and Geriatric Care: Experiences and Considerations Course

Lesson 1 • Biology of Normal Aging

Examines physiological changes across organ systems that occur with age. Distinguishes normal aging from pathological decline to set a clinical baseline.

Lesson 2 • Theories and Models of Aging

Surveys biological, psychological, and sociological theories of aging. Provides a conceptual framework for interpreting patient behavior and care needs.

Lesson 3 • Roles Within the Geriatric Care Team

Maps the interdisciplinary team structure and each member's scope of practice. Prepares students to collaborate effectively across professional boundaries.

Lesson 4 • Demographics of an Aging Population

Covers global and national aging trends and their impact on healthcare systems. Grounds subsequent clinical content in real-world population context.

Lesson 1 • Social and Environmental Assessment

Evaluates social support networks, living conditions, and safety hazards. Social determinants profoundly affect health outcomes and care plan feasibility.

Lesson 2 • Cognitive and Mental Health Screening

Presents validated tools for detecting cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety. Accurate screening enables timely referral and appropriate care adjustments.

Lesson 3 • Nutritional and Sensory Assessment

Addresses malnutrition risk screening and sensory impairment evaluation. Both domains are frequently overlooked yet significantly affect elder quality of life.

Lesson 4 • Overview of Geriatric Assessment

Introduces the purpose and structure of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Connects multidimensional evaluation to improved care planning outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Delirium: Recognition and Management

Distinguishes delirium subtypes and outlines non-pharmacological and pharmacological management. Early recognition prevents prolonged hospitalization and cognitive decline.

Lesson 2 • Urinary Incontinence Management

Classifies incontinence types and presents behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical options. Effective management preserves dignity and reduces infection risk.

Lesson 3 • Pressure Injuries and Skin Care

Covers staging, prevention protocols, and wound management for pressure injuries. Skin integrity is a key quality indicator in geriatric care settings.

Lesson 4 • Frailty and Sarcopenia

Defines frailty phenotype and sarcopenia and their clinical implications. Identifying frailty guides intervention intensity and prognosis discussions.

Lesson 1 • Adherence and Medication Administration

Examines barriers to medication adherence and practical administration aids. Adherence support is essential for achieving therapeutic goals in older adults.

Lesson 2 • Deprescribing Principles and Practice

Presents a stepwise framework for safely tapering or discontinuing unnecessary medications. Deprescribing improves outcomes and aligns treatment with patient goals.

Lesson 3 • Identifying and Reducing Polypharmacy

Defines polypharmacy, its prevalence, and its adverse consequences in older adults. Systematic medication review is the primary tool for reducing harm.

Lesson 4 • Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Aging

Explains how aging alters drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. These changes underpin all safe prescribing decisions for older patients.

Lesson 1 • Staging and Progression of Dementia

Describes clinical staging frameworks and the functional trajectory of dementia. Staging informs care planning, family education, and resource allocation.

Lesson 2 • Types and Pathophysiology of Dementia

Differentiates Alzheimer's disease, vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementias. Understanding pathophysiology guides diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection.

Lesson 3 • Dementia Care Environments and Safety

Evaluates design features and safety protocols for dementia-specific care settings. Environmental modifications reduce behavioral symptoms and prevent injury.

Lesson 4 • Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms

Addresses agitation, wandering, sleep disturbance, and psychosis in dementia. Non-pharmacological approaches are the first-line response to these symptoms.

Lesson 1 • Diabetes Management in Aging

Addresses glycemic targets, hypoglycemia risk, and medication selection for older diabetic patients. Individualized targets prevent harm while maintaining metabolic control.

Lesson 2 • Multimorbidity and Care Coordination

Addresses the challenge of managing multiple coexisting conditions and conflicting guidelines. Coordinated, prioritized care plans reduce treatment burden and improve outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Chronic Pain Assessment and Management

Covers pain assessment tools adapted for cognitively impaired elders and multimodal treatment. Undertreated pain is a major quality-of-life issue in geriatric populations.

Lesson 4 • Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults

Covers hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation management adapted for age. Treatment targets and drug choices differ significantly from younger populations.

Lesson 1 • Grief, Bereavement, and Staff Support

Addresses normal and complicated grief, bereavement support resources, and caregiver compassion fatigue. Staff resilience is essential for sustained quality end-of-life care.

Lesson 2 • Communicating with Dying Patients and Families

Teaches breaking bad news, prognostic communication, and family meeting facilitation. Skilled communication reduces distress and builds trust during the dying process.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Palliative Care in Geriatrics

Defines palliative care philosophy and its integration alongside curative treatment. Early palliative involvement improves quality of life and reduces unnecessary interventions.

Lesson 4 • Advance Care Planning

Guides students through facilitating advance directive completion and goals-of-care conversations. Documented preferences ensure care aligns with patient values at all stages.

Lesson 1 • Advocacy for Older Adults

Develops skills for advocating at individual, organizational, and policy levels for elder needs. Effective advocacy translates clinical knowledge into systemic improvements for older populations.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory Standards and Care Quality

Surveys regulatory frameworks governing long-term care and acute geriatric settings. Compliance with care standards protects residents and sustains organizational accreditation.

Lesson 3 • Ethical Principles in Geriatric Practice

Applies autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice to geriatric care scenarios. Ethical frameworks guide decision-making when patient values and clinical needs conflict.

Lesson 4 • Elder Abuse: Recognition and Response

Identifies physical, emotional, financial, and neglect forms of elder abuse and mandatory reporting obligations. Early detection and reporting protect vulnerable older adults from ongoing harm.