Interdisciplinary Opportunities for Students Interested in Working with Older Adults:
University of Maine Interprofessional Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
The online Interprofessional Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology is designed to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of health and human service professionals who provide care to older adults in a variety of settings.
The goals of the UMaine Interprofessional Graduate Certificate Program in Gerontology are to:
- Strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities of health and human service professionals for the provision of effective, comprehensive care and services for older adults and their caregivers.
- Increase the number of individuals who select a career in the health and human service fields with specialization in the delivery of services for older adults.
- Prepare professionals from a variety of fields to function as members of interprofessional teams in the provision of services that enhance the lives of older adults and those who care for them.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (9 credits)
Course sequence: It is preferred that the Gerontology Certificate students take courses in sequence (GRN 500, GRN 501, GRN 502); however, this is not mandatory.
1. GRN 500: Opportunities and Challenges of Aging (3 credits) (offered fall)
2. GRN 501: Life Transitions and Health in Aging (3 credits) (offered spring)
3. GRN 502: Interprofessional Care of Older Adults in Diverse Settings (3 credits) (offered summer)
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Graduates of the certificate program will be prepared to function as members of interprofessional teams to effectively address the health and human service needs of an increasingly diverse aging population.
Upon completion of the Interprofessional Certificate Program in Gerontology, the graduate will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of social, behavioral, cultural, and health-related issues experienced by the growing population of older adults and their caregivers.
- Promote health, functionality, and quality of life of older adults through education of individuals and families and through appropriate referrals to service providers.
- Incorporate ethical principles in the provision of services for older adults and their caregivers.
- Incorporate evidence-based strategies in assessing health and service needs and in designing care management plans for older adults and caregivers.
- Demonstrate understanding of an interprofessional team approach for efficient, innovative, and effective service delivery.
- Advocate for improved health and human services for older adults and their caregivers, grounded in knowledge of aging-related health policy and effective programs.
Contact an advisor to get started today: umaine.edu/online
Resources for Students Interested in Working with Older Adults:
AgingME Training Videos
The Conversation Project
Resources for Students Interested in Conversations, Advance Care Planning and End of Life
Are you a student and looking for ideas on how to jumpstart conversations with others on your campus? Or, maybe you’re looking for research or practicum ideas that focus on advance care planning or end of life care? Perhaps you are seeking additional training on how to jumpstart conversations with the individuals/families you’ll care for someday. No matter what you are studying and at which level (from undergraduate to doctorate), The Conversation Project (TCP) has resources to get you started.
Healthy Aging Data Portal
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Data Portal provides easy access to national and state level CDC data on a range of key indicators of health and well-being for older adults, including:
- Caregiving
- Subjective Cognitive Decline
- Screenings and vaccinations
- Mental health
These indicators provide a snapshot of currently available surveillance information, and can be useful for prioritization and evaluation of public health interventions.