Aging Health and Social Resources

Geriatric Assessment Interdisciplinary Team (G.A.I.T.)

GERIATRICS is certainly one of the fields in which multiple areas of competence are needed. The aged are more likely than other populations to have multiple health needs. Their various health systems-physical, cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, and material--are probably more exquisitely interdependent and inter-responsive than is the case in most other age groups. For these reasons, multiple heatlh care disciplines and instititutions are likely to be involved with their care and support. Therefore, it is important to understand and structure the working relationships among these health disciplines in the interest of the care of the aged patients, the effectivenes and satisfaction of the practitioners, and the preparation of students in the heatlh professions for competent practice. ~David G. Stain, MD

Western Maryland Area Health Education Center is a community-based center affiliated with the Maryland Statewide Medical Education and Training System and the Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore. The AHEC works to improve health care delivery in the rural Appalachian counties of Maryland and surrounding communities in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The mission of the center is to improve access to and promote quality in health care through educational partnerships with centers for higher education, community health professionals, and other vital supporters and advocates. Visit the AHEC website at http://www.westernmarylandahec.org

GAIT is an opportunity to:

• Enhance your Interdisciplinary Health Care Team Skills training
  
• Learn about Interdisciplinary Geriatric Assessment at a rural geriatric care site
  
• Participate in Interdisciplinary Team Assessment of care site program participants
  
• Discuss your Team Interdisciplinary Assessment with the care site staff
  
  

Who Can Participate:

• Frostburg State University
  
Psychology, Recreation Therapy, and Social Work

• Salisbury University
  
Nursing, Social Work, and Psychology

• Towson University
  
Gerontology, Health Care Management, Health Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Speech-Language Pathology

• University of Maryland Baltimore
  
Dental, Nursing, Medical & Research Tech., Medicine, Social Work, Pharmacy, Law, Physical Therapy

• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
  
Human Ecology, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant
• Other Interested Maryland health professions students -
  contact Terri Socha at tsocha@westernmarylandahec.org.
  

Preparing for GAIT:

Typical GAIT project Schedule:

• Orientation
  
• Health Car Team Skills Training
  
• Aging Simulation
  
• Dinner with Host Site Staff (overnight accommodations are provided)
  

• Interdisciplinary Geriatric Assessment (Host Siite Staff presentation)
  
• Student Teams Assess Program Participants and Prepare a Team Report
  
• Student Teams Present Assessment Report and Discussion with Staff
  
• Evaluation/Comments/Departure
  

Download the Participant Form:

You can download the form by clicking here.

GAIT Projects Host Sites in Western Maryland:

Homewood at Williamsport is a not-for-profit Retirement Community that has been serving the needs of older adults since 1932.  The 28-acre community includes independent living cottages and apartments, Assisted Living, Respite and Long Term Nursing Home care, and Hospice Services in cooperation with Hospice of Washington County, Inc.  Homewood Retirement Centers currently operate four retirement communities located in Martinsburg, PA, Frederick, MD, Williamsport, MD, and Hanover, PA.    Based in Washington County, MD just outside Hagerstown, Homewood Retirement Centers is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.  Visit the Homewood website at www.hmwd.org  (78 miles from Baltimore)

The Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit facilitates the rehabilitation process for patients with a significant disability that restricts their ability to function independently but have the potential to improve with intensive therapy. Criteria for admission to the CIRU include: the patient requires at least two types of therapies (physical, occupational, speech/language therapy) and can participate in therapy a minimum of three hours per day. Additional services include: recreational therapy, supportive psychotherapy, nutritional consultation, rehabilitative nursing, and medical care. The goal of the health professional team is to prepare the patient and his/her family for returning to the community. The CIRU is located at the Memorial Hospital campus of the Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland, MD. www.wmhs.com/services/ciru.cfm  (140 miles from Baltimore)

Founded in 1983, Hospice of Garrett County, Inc., provides physical, emotional, clinical, medical, social, spiritual, and educational services to patients with terminal diagnosis and a six-month or less prognosis for life.  Hospice of Garrett County also provides bereavement services to patients’ family members and primary caregivers for up to a year following a patient’s death.  The only licensed hospice providing services in Garrett County, the organization uses both professional clinical and medical staff and trained volunteers.  Hospice of Garrett County maintains in-home or home-like end-of-life care for its patients so that they feel comfort and companionship, remain safe, get relief from pain, maintain quality of life, and die with dignity. Students will visit clients in their home or hospice LTC facility and share their team assessment with the Hospice team at the monthly care planning meeting. (transportation provided from Cumberland, MD – 140 miles from Baltimore)