The Elm

GAIT Project Overview: The Geriatric Assessment Interdisciplinary Team (GAIT) project is funded by the University System of Maryland (USM) Redeployment Grant System. The project is designed by the Maryland Area Health Education Centers (MAHECs) in partnership with the Geriatrics & Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School.

The GAIT project is a free program for health and social science undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in a University System of Maryland (USM) institution. GAIT introduces students to the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the fundamentals of interprofessional (interdisciplinary) collaboration through both didactic and clinical sessions.  

The unexpected circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in our having to be creative in the delivery of these valuable learning experiences that typically take place at geriatric sites such as medical and rehabilitative hospitals, independent living and long-term care communities, and hospice and palliative care settings.

For the safety of the vulnerable populations with whom our GAIT participants interact, the GAIT projects remain virtual for the SPRING 2022 semester using the Blackboard platform and Zoom conferencing services. This online training site is designed with the same mix of activities that normally take place on site and will take you approximately 8 - 9 hours to complete. There is no charge for USM students to participate in the GAIT program.

The GAIT project provides an opportunity for students to:

• Interact with students and professionals from a variety of disciplines;
• Participate in team-building exercises that focus on the value of an interdisciplinary approach to improve quality of care for older adults;
• Understand services provided to older adults; and
• Learn about the needs of underserved older adult communities within our state

As an interprofessional learning experience, GAIT is designed to help students:

• Understand the uniqueness of interprofessional teams and its value in providing person-centered care;
• Recognize barriers to effective communication in health care teams and identify ways to reduce conflict and disagreement;
• Explain aging processes and the diversity of the older adult population;
• Evaluate best practices in honoring the autonomy of older persons; and
• Employ effective intergenerational communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written) to recruit prospects and engage with members.

Participant Expectations

• Register at least two weeks before the scheduled start date of your select GAIT experience(s)
• Complete asynchronous Blackboard activities prior to the scheduled ‘live’ portion of the GAIT experience
• Be a present and active participant in the synchronous interprofessional group activities

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SPRING 2022 GAIT TOPICS AND DATES (may register for more than one)
Note: Others may be added and announced as they are scheduled.

Topic: Advancing Care Excellence: Special Considerations for Recovery & Rehabilitation of Older Veterans
Facilitators: Anne Hall, Assistant Chief of Social Work, Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, and Dr. Amanda Loomis, Geriatric Pharmacy Resident, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Dates: Blackboard site opens for Independent Work, Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Required Group Activity: Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

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REGISTRATION CLOSES Tuesday, March 1, 2022  

Topic: Judgment & Insight of Medical Diagnosis Related to Dementia Date
Facilitators: Dr. Julia Biernot, Assistant Professor of Neurology at UMB, and Jennifer Glotfelty, LCSW-C at Thomas B. Finan Center
Dates: Blackboard site opens for Independent Work, Friday, April 29, 2022
Required Group Activity: Thursday, May 5, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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REGISTRATION CLOSES Friday, April 22, 2022

Contact Information

• General Information: Dr. Diane Martin, diane.martin@umaryland.edu
• Blackboard Credentialing and Troubleshooting: Min Park, minkyoung.park@umaryland.edu