Module 1: Growing Needs of the Geriatric Population - Overview

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This module was developed by Elizabeth Towner, PhD, FNP. For additional background on Dr. Towner, select the name.

Introduction

This initial module in the Geriatric Concepts curriculum introduces concepts and information that are useful for a broad understanding of the geriatric population. It provides insights into the backgrounds of seniors by viewing them as differing cohorts, each of which has experienced similar historical events. At the same time, these elders exhibit great heterogeneity in how they age, so much so that it is often difficult to correlate chronological age with physiological age.

The module also presents insights into special health care needs of older adults, including their unique health assessment needs. The foundation you build here will aid you in making decisions regarding the primary health care of older adults-both in subsequent modules and in the clinical setting.

Unlike other modules in the Advanced Concepts curriculum, the content for this module is mainly accessible through online materials developed by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Academic Geriatric Resource Center (AGRC). These materials are a rich learning resource, designed to familiarize you with a population that will become a growing portion of your patients in the future. While we encourage you to complete the self-evaluation quizzes presented throughout the materials, you will not need to participate in the web-discussions titled "Post thoughts". The UCSF Academic Geriatric Resource Center can be found at http://ucsfagrc.org/introduction/index.html.

Objectives