ACE: Geriatric Medicine

School of Medicine

The intent of this course is to provide students with an advanced educational experience in geriatric medicine. Students will gain familiarity with multiple geriatric syndromes: polypharmacy, gait instability, dementia, fragility, pain management, pressure sores, incontinence, osteoporosis; appreciation for continuity of care across different levels of care; and the ability to differentiate between normal aging and disease processes. Students' knowledge of ethical issues will also be enhanced including patient autonomy, driving, elder abuse, and advance care planning. Students will also be able to identify and use community resources effectively, assess and treat multiple geriatric syndromes, organize management of multiple acute and chronic diseases simultaneously, and communicate sensitively and effectively with older persons and caregivers. VA system access is required. Students cannot take this course if they have not received VA access at least 2 weeks before the course starts.