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 in Maryland.
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 interprofessional and intergenerational communication skills .
Participant expectations:
- Participate fully in the GAIT experience. Information about expectations will be sent after your registration has been processed.
Spring 2026 GAIT Topics and Dates
Geriatric Assessment Tools Workshop: A Multidisciplinary Skills Workshop
In-Person: Friday, Feb. 13 (11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Location: The Meeting House; 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045 (lunch provided)
The Geriatric Assessment Tools Workshop is a half-day interdisciplinary training program that supports the development of clinical skills relevant to the care of older adults and emphasizes the importance of a team approach in geriatric health care planning and delivery.
Comprehensive Care of the Stroke Patient
In-person: Monday, March 16 (8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Location: Encompass Health Rehabilitation, 220 Tilghman Road, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meals, project materials, and a travel stipend are provided. Overnight accommodations available to participants traveling more than 50 miles to the training site.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Salisbury is a 74-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services designed to return patients to leading active and independent lives. Participants will be given an overview of interdisciplinary treatments of the cerebral vascular accident (CVA) patient. This will include descriptions of types of CVAs, acute care treatment, and rehabilitation of these patients. Participants will be placed in interprofessional groups to participate in team conferences, see patients in therapy sessions, and interview patients. The group will complete an assessment, write a care plan, and present a plan at the end of the day.
Dementia in Long-Term Care
In-person: Thursday, March 19 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Location: TidalHealth Alice B. Tawes Nursing & Rehab Center, 201 Hall Highway, Crisfield, MD 21817
Meals, project materials, and a travel stipend are provided. Overnight accommodations available to participants traveling more than 50 miles to the training site.
Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home is a 76-bed skilled nursing facility recognized as a “High-Performing Nursing Home” by U.S. News & World Report. With a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 4-star rating, they are committed to delivering exceptional care and rehabilitation services to their residents. Its dedicated team provides comprehensive skilled nursing, therapy, and long-term care in a compassionate environment. As part of its mission to enhance quality outcomes, they welcome healthcare students to gain hands-on experience in geriatric care, dementia support, and transitional care strategies that reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. Students will work alongside an interdisciplinary team, learning evidence-based practices that empower residents and improve quality of life.
Older Adults at Risk: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Suicide Prevention
Virtual: Thursdays, March 26 - April 2
Blackboard opens March 26 (~4 hours activities); Real-Time Zoom Meeting: Thursday, April 2, 3 - 7 p.m.
Facilitator: Diane Martin, PhD, MSL, MA
Learn to recognize and respond to suicide risk among older adults, an often overlooked population in prevention efforts. Through case vignettes, discussion, and evidence-informed strategies, students will explore risk and protective factors, the importance of collaborative care, and how to balance safety with respect for autonomy in later life.
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hearing Health in Older Adult Care
Virtual: Thursdays, April 23 - 30
Blackboard opens April 23 (~4 hours activities); Real-Time Zoom Meeting: Thursday, April 30, 3 - 7 p.m.
Facilitator: Danielle Powell, AuD, PhD
This GAIT will focus on recognizing and addressing hearing loss in older adults as a key component of whole-person, age-friendly care. Participants learn practical strategies to improve communication, support cognitive and social wellbeing, and coordinate audiology care across settings.