The Elm

SPRING 2023 NEW GAIT TOPIC AND DATE

Topic: Advancing Care Excellence: Special Considerations for Recovery & Rehabilitation of Older Veterans (Virtual)
Date: Blackboard site opens for Independent Work, Saturday, June 10
Required Group Activity: Friday, June 16, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Register Now 
REGISTRATION CLOSES June 2
Information: Meredith Hochman

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 an USM institution. GAIT introduces students to the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the fundamentals of interprofessional (interdisciplinary) collaboration through both didactic and clinical sessions. 

During the Spring 2023 semester, we will be offering both virtual and in-person GAITs. The virtual GAITs will use 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 approximately 8 - 9 hours to complete.

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)
• Participate fully in the GAIT experience. Information about expectations will be sent after your registration has been processed.

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