GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE GERIATRIC ROTATIONS

The geriatrics rotations are both block and longitudinal it is hoped that the family medicine residents will accomplish these goals in throughout all of their geriatric experiences.

Goal:

Residents graduating from our program will be aware of and facile with a biopsychosocial approach to the multifacted nature of the health care needs of the elderly in today’s society.

Objectives:

1. To understand the normal changes with aging, physiologically, and how to identify these changes during the physical examination.
2. To provide Family Practice role models for caring for the elderly.
3. To introduce Family Practice residents to commonly occurring geriatric problems and their treatments. (Medical, social, emotional, psychological or financial)
4. To reinforce appropriate attitudes about the elderly-
5. To realize that a large percent of their problems can be helped through thoughtful evaluation and treatment.
6. To realize the complexity of the social situations involving the elderly.
7. To understand the team approach to care for the elderly and be able to utilize it effectively.
8. To fully understand the importance in utilizing rehab personnel in the treaunent of the elderly (PT, OT Speech).
9. To become familiar with state & federal regulations pertaining to nursing homes.
10. To attain some understanding of payment procedures for nursing home care.
11. To be able to identify and locate community resources for the elderly.
12. To be aware of and become active in preventive medicine and health maintenance in the elderly.
13. To understand the management of chronic illness in the aged.
14. To understand an4. participate in the on-going care of the elderly in a long-term care facility.
15. To understand and participate in the long-term care of aged patients who continue to live at home.
16. To understand and participate in the acute care of the elderly patient in long-term care facilities or at home.
17. To have the Family Practice residents discuss and feel confortable with several health issues pertaining to the elderly. These topics may include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

• Nutrition and Aging
• Exercise and Aging
• Treatment of Anxiety and Agitation in the Elderly Mental Status --Changes/Dementia's
• Sleep Disturbances
• Health Maintenance in the Elderly
• Rational Use of Rehabilitation Therapy Depression in the Elderly
• Decubitus Ulcer Care
• Urinary Incontinence
• Fecal Incontinenee/Impactions
• Fractures/Osteoporosis
• Stroke Prevention
• Sexuality in the Elderly
• Falls/gait Disorders
• Substance Abuse Among the Elderly
• Lower Extemity Amputation
• Parkinson's Disease
• Surgical Role Assessment in the Elderly Infectious Diseases in the -Elderly
• Common Visual/Hearing Problems in the Elderly
• Management of Diabetes in the Elderly
• Cutaneous Problems it. the Elderly
• Geriatric Dentistry
• Polypharmacy
• Elderabuse