Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Appendix I A Guide to Developing Training Programs 385
Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers
This GEC offers a 3-day emergency preparedness certificate program for
health care professionals working with the older population. 1
Ohio Valley Appalachia Regional Geriatric
Education Center
Numerous portable tools for long-distance learning are offered by this
organization including emergency planning tools, 2 distance learning
modules and interactive videos, 3 and e-newsletters on emergency preparedness.
4
Texas Consortium of Geriatric Education Centers
This consortium is responsible for designing a comprehensive curriculum
on bioterrorism and emergency preparedness in aging that is being
taught throughout the state of Texas. 5
SAMPLE TRAINING PLAN
Depending on time and budget constraints, training programs vary dramatically
in format. An ideal geriatric emergency preparedness training
is 1 day. Table Appendix I.2 provides a sample 1-day training for use in
all facilities. It may be shortened or extended to meet specific agency
needs. In addition, all training programs, regardless of length, should
have designated learning objectives for all learners. Table Appendix I.3
lists sample learning objectives that may be applied to various training
programs (Howe, Sherman, & Toner, 2006).
CONCLUSION
There is no question that our country is aging rapidly. It is vital that all
health care professionals become better equipped to meet the needs of
an aging population. Having knowledge and proper training in geriatric
emergency preparedness is one of many ways in which we are best able
to serve our elders. Individuals interested in this very important task are
strongly urged to speak with their agency administrators and directors
to implement an emergency preparedness curriculum within their