Project seeks to improve health and wellness of older adults

51���� is part of a multi-organizational team that recently received a $3.7 million grant from the  U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. 

The project seeks to enhance training for nurses, social workers and other health care providers who work with elderly populations, while also developing better methods for treating patients dealing with drug addiction, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“The overarching goals of this effort is to increase knowledge of the needs of older adults, better prepare students for careers in geriatrics and ultimately improve health outcomes in Northeast Ohio,” says Joan Neiderriter, associate professor of nursing at 51���� and one of the leads on the grant.

The 51���� team will specifically assist with developing simulation trainings for health care providers and caregivers to enhance understanding of the unique needs of elderly patients, while illustrating how various aspects of the health care continuum connect and impact patient care. The team will also study how various social and cultural issues impact care and treatment and work to improve training and education programs based on the results.

“Social determinates of health play a significant role in patient outcomes and we hope to improve understanding of how these factors actually impact care, with the goal of better training caregivers to address all the needs of their patients,” adds Cynthia Hovland, assistant professor of social work at 51���� and co-principal investigator on the project.

The project is being led by Northeast Ohio Medical University and also includes participation from Summa Health, the Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, The University of Akron, AxessPointe Community Health Centers, the Benjamin Rose Institute, the Alzheimer’s Association, Saber Healthcare Group, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Summit County Public Health; the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health and the Hospice of the Western Reserve.