Spring 2022 Newsletter
By Whitney Thomasson, MAP, CRS
Research Assistant
UAMS Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC)
The Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC) has worked in partnership with the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation (IDHI) via PatientsLearn to provide free, on-demand, virtual educational programs for older adults on a variety of topics such as disaster preparedness and social isolation. UAMS PatientsLearn is an online medical education hub, with a patient-centered approach for health and wellness resources. In total, 7 AGEC programs are available, ranging from about 25 minutes to 1 hour in length. These programs can be valuable educational tools for older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals for referral resources. Registration is free, simple, and available nationwide. Click here for our available programs via UAMS PatientsLearn.
- Recognizing & Preventing Social Isolation: This program educates participants on both the warning signs and the effects of isolation and loneliness. Tips for prevention are shared, along with resources for both older adults and caregivers facing these issues.
- Heart Health & Brain Health: This program helps viewers better understand the connection between heart and brain health. Risk factors and prevention measures for stroke, dementia, and heart disease are also discussed.
- Eat Well Live Well: Through utilization of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this program defines terms about diet and nutrition, and highlights reliable dietary resources. Eat Well Live Well aims to guide older adults in developing healthy dietary patterns.
- Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease: This program was created for family caregivers and community members alike to gain awareness and knowledge about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Normal aging vs dementia is discussed, along with risk factors, the stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia-friendly communication skills.
- Understanding Opioids: The definition and examples of opioids are covered in this program, along with a background of the opioid epidemic and its effect on prescriptions. Best practices after receiving a prescription opioid are addressed, along with a variety of non-opioid pain management alternatives. Free chronic pain booklets are available for viewers.
- Fall Prevention & Home Safety: In this program, viewers learn about how to identify and prevent the risk of falls, the physical and mental consequences of falling, resources for safety checks, and exercises for fall prevention. Tips for improving an older adult’s balance, as well as for improving home safety, are discussed.
- Disaster Preparedness for Seniors: In collaboration with the American Red Cross, preparedness tips for many types of disasters (weather, climate, home fire/flood, etc.) are covered. Emergency kits, evacuation plans, as well as best practices for caring for a loved one with dementia in a disaster are covered in this program.
All of the above programs are available 24/7, at no cost, via UAMS PatientsLearn. Be sure to check back later in 2022 for additional programming. Please share these programs with older adults and caregivers in your circles who may benefit from this education!