New geriatric training program for nursing home staff

Oklahoma will offer the nation's first geriatric education program for nursing home staff.

The program will train non-clinical staff, certified nurse aides (CAN), certified medication aides (CMA) and nurses (LPN & RN) using the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program  model. The model facilitates early detection of geriatric syndromes and chronic diseases in the elderly.

“The breadth and depth of geriatric education and training for healthcare professions remain inadequate and despite some improvements, geriatrics principles are still too often insufficiently represented in healthcare training curricula and clinical experiences focused on gerontology are not robust,” a spokesperson for Eldercare Workforce Alliance said in a news release.

The program is funded by federal and state grants in the amount of $148,000 and will be directed by National Gerontological Nursing Association President-Elect Joanne Alderman, MS-N, APRN-CNS, RN-BC, FNGNA.

Saint Francis Health System, a NICHE-designated hospital, will sponsor the two nursing homes involved in the project: Oklahoma Methodist Manor and Tulsa Jewish Retirement and Health Care.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.