GAIT Project Overview: 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. Total completion time is 8 - 9 hours. There is no charge for USM students to participate in the GAIT program. Certificate of completion provided.
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 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 schedule 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.
FALL 2024 GAIT TOPICS AND DATES (may register for more than one)
Note: Others may be added and announced as they are scheduled.
In-Person: Promoting Aging in Place
Date: Friday, Sept. 27, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Wesley SecureCare (Towson, MD)
Facilitator: Amanda Young, PhD, director
This GAIT will focus on proactive health and wellness for clients. After learning about models designed to decrease the need for care and increase active life span, participants will interview older adults to identify potential risk factors for service need or health crisis through a holistic lens and apply disciplinary perspectives aimed at reducing risk.
Virtual: Providing Care and Service to Isolated LGBTQ Older Adults
Blackboard opens Sept. 28 (~4 hours activities)
Real-Time Zoom Meeting, Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Facilitator: Darren Whitfield, PhD, UMB School of Social Work
This GAIT session focuses on the challenges experienced by older adults who identify as LGBTQ+. During the live portion, students will work in interprofessional teams to evaluate a case vignette and present their assessment and proposed treatment plans.
In-Person: Assessing What Is Going Well: Collaborating with Caregivers to Keep the Good Things Going
Date: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Daybreak Adult Day Services (Frederick, MD)
Facilitator: Christina Forbes, director
Participants will be introduced to the team-based approach used when providing comprehensive care for older adults presenting with complex medical conditions. Participants will be placed into an interprofessional group and will interview older adults participating at the center to inform an assessment and care planning presentation at the end of the day.
Virtual: Dementia in the Hospital Emergency Department
Blackboard opens Nov. 1 (~4 hours activities)
Real-Time Zoom Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 7, 4 - 8 p.m.
Facilitator: Jim Richardson, MD
Dementia poses significant challenges in medical settings, often leading to misunderstandings, inadequate care, and distress for patients and caregivers alike. This GAIT program will introduce you to common scenarios that present in the ED and expand your understanding of dementia and differential diagnoses. Participants will be assigned case vignettes to evaluate as a member of an interprofessional team and develop a care plan through his/her disciplinary lens focused on enhancing the quality of care provided to these vulnerable older adults presenting in the emergency department.
Contact Information:
- General information: Diane Martin, PhD, diane.martin@umaryland.edu
- Blackboard help: Jaminette Nazario, Jaminette.Nazario@som.umaryland.edu
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network. We endorse the 10 principles of an age-friendly university and are committed to being more intentional and systematic in our approach to our aging, intergenerational population as we build meaningful and measurable collaborations. Visit our website to learn about our age-friendly initiatives. For information on becoming an age-friendly specialist, contact Dr. Diane Martin at diane.martin@umaryland.edu or download our program booklet.