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 School of Graduate Studies.
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
- 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
- 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
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Hearing Health in Older Adult Care
Virtual: Thursdays, April 23-30
Blackboard opens April 23 (~four 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 well-being, and coordinate audiology care across settings.