The number of Americans over age 65 is expected to surpass 72 million by 2030, representing a 71% increase from today’s 41 million older adults. That is why the Health Resources and Services (HRSA) Title VII and Title VIII geriatrics health professions training programs are so critical to ensuring there is a skilled eldercare workforce and knowledgeable, well-supported family caregivers available to meet the complex and unique needs of older adults.
TITLE VII GERIATRICS HEALTH PROFESSIONS
The Title VII Geriatrics Health Professions programs are the only federal programs that increase the number of faculty with geriatrics expertise in a variety of disciplines who provide training in clinical geriatrics, including the training of interdisciplinary teams of health professionals. These are:
Geriatric Academic Career Awards (GACA): This program promotes the development of
academic clinician educators in geriatrics. In the Academic Year 2012-2013, the GACA program funded 62 full-time junior faculty. These awardees delivered over 1,100 interprofessional continuing education courses specific to geriatric-related
topics to over 53,000 students and providers. The number of instructional hours delivered by GACAs during Academic Year 2012-2013 was over 90,000. Additionally, they presented on research and other topics at 215 local, state and national conference and published 108 peer-reviewed publications.
Geriatric Academic Career Awards (GACA): This program promotes the development of academic clinician educators in geriatrics. In the Academic Year 2012-2013, the GACA program funded 62 full-time junior faculty. These awardees delivered over 1,100 interprofessional continuing education courses specific to geriatric-related topics to over 53,000 students and providers. The number of instructional hours delivered by GACAs during Academic Year 2012-2013 was over 90,000. Additionally, they presented on research and other topics at 215 local, state and national conference and published 108 peer-reviewed publications.
Geriatric Training Program for Physicians, Dentists, and Behavioral and Mental Health Professions (GTPD): This program supports inter-professional training designed to develop additional faculty in medicine, dentistry, and behavioral and mental health so that they have the expertise, skills and knowledge to teach geriatrics and gerontology to the next generation of health professionals in their disciplines. In Academic Year 2012-2013, a total of 64 physicians- including psychiatrists-, dentists, and psychologists, were supported through this fellowship program. Fellows delivered over 275 courses to 5,600 trainees.
Geriatric Education Centers (GEC): GECs provide quality interdisciplinary geriatric education and training to practicing health care professionals of multiple disciplines and health care professions students. In Academic Year 2012-2013, the 45 GEC grantees developed and provided over 1,650 different continuing education and clinical training offerings to nearly 136,500 health professionals, students, faculty, and practitioners, significantly exceeding the program’s performance target. Three-quarters of the continuing education offerings were interprofessional in focus. Of the sites that offered clinical training sessions, 2 out of every 5 of these sites were in a medically underserved community and/or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention, Education, and Outreach Program (through GECs): These funds support Geriatric Education Centers providing interprofessional continuing education to health professionals on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
TITLE VIII GERIATRICS NURSING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
These programs, are the primary source of federal funding for advanced education nursing, workforce diversity, nursing faculty loan programs, nurse education, practice and retention, comprehensive geriatric education, loan repayment, and scholarship.
Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program (CGEP): This program provides quality geriatric education to individuals caring for the elderly and supports additional training for nurses who care for the elderly; development and dissemination of curricula relating to geriatric care; and training of faculty in geriatrics. It also provides continuing education for nurses practicing in geriatrics. In Academic Year 2012-2013, a total of 18 Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program (CGEP) grantees provided a variety of services, including over 150 different continuing education courses to over 11,600 trainees. This program supports additional training for nurses who care for the elderly; development and dissemination of curricula relating to geriatric care; training of faculty in geriatrics; and continuing education for nurses practicing in geriatrics.
Traineeships for Advanced Practice Nurses: Through the ACA, the Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program is being expanded to include advanced practice nurses who are pursuing long-term care, geropsychiatric nursing or other nursing areas that specialize in care of elderly. In Academic Year 2012-2013, a total of 74 grantees were awarded traineeships. One in every 4 grantee is considered an underrepresented minority in their prospective profession.
PDF of Issue Brief here.
Published: Spring 2014
The positions of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance reflect a consensus of 75 percent or more of its members. Statements reflect the consensus of the Alliance and do not necessarily represent the position of individual Alliance member organizations.