ECHO-Chicago: Geriatrics

A national shortage of specialty and primary care providers has limited access to care for many Americans with chronic diseases. Barriers to healthcare access are especially acute in low-income communities where people have public insurance or no insurance at all. Older adults living within these communities contend with elevated rates of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, arthritis, and other chronic conditions leading to disability, functional losses, and cognitive decline. The south side of Chicago is one of the most medically underserved communities in the United States. The number of older adults living below the poverty line is twice the national average and 7 of the 8 poorest neighborhoods in Chicago are within University of Chicago Medicine’s primary service area on the south side. In addition, there is a high level of need for, as well as a national shortage of, providers with expertise in caring for older adults. The goal of the ECHO-Chicago: Geriatrics curriculum is to create a robust, engaged network of primary care providers and aging specialists who share resources and education, thus increasing provider capacity to care for older adults to improve health across Chicago.

After this activity, participants will be able to:

• Discuss geriatric assessment in primary care;
• Distinguish between typical signs of aging and those symptoms that may be associated with other health problems;
• List signs of dementia in geriatric patients;
• Generate a treatment plan for the management of dementia in geriatric patients;
• Identify local community resources that can provide support relating to aging and health for patients and their families;
• State the basic practices of palliative and hospice care;
• Describe advanced care planning including important topics such as power of attorney and living will;
• Discuss polypharmacy & medication reconciliation for older adults.