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Welcome

Welcome to the Geriatric Education Center of Greater Philadelphia (GEC-GP)! The Geriatric Education Center grant ended in the summer of 2015, but there are still plenty of resources on this website for your use. The GEC-GP Consortium objectives are focused on education around the care of the growing number of older patients with cognitive impairment, elders at the end of life and a faculty development program on health literacy and equity. The GEC-GP has developed teaching activities across the University of Pennsylvania, with our consortium partners, the VA Medical Center and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, and with several collaborating agencies across the region.

Health Equity and Literacy

Health literacy and equity needs for seniors with limited educational backgrounds, functional disabilities, and from many cultures is only beginning to be addressed. Several centers for the study of health disparities which have involved geriatric medicine and nursing faculty have been developed. However, a focused effort is typically needed to move research results into practice. The GEC-GP is focused on filling the gap between research on health literacy and equity and prepare faculty to train students for practice that is culturally and linguistically competent.

Cognitive Impairment

Older patients with cognitive impairment constitute a varied population, including transiently confused, delirious patients as well as those patients with permanent, progressive intellectual impairment.  The GEC-GP focuses on interdisciplinary training in recognition and management of cognitive impairment, behavioral interventions, and communications with families of older adults with cognitive impairment.

End of Life Care

Older patients express a wide range of choices regarding their wishes for care at the end of life. Palliative care programs including hospice to address the needs of these frail patients and their families can be leaders in these training efforts. The GEC-GP is focused on training of health professionals to increase staff knowledge and skill in end of life care and so that staff can work together to implement choices for patients nearing the end of life.