CHW: Older Adult Care

CHW:  Older Adult Care

Release Date:08/10/2023
Expiration Date: 08/10/2025
Format: Online/Enduring Material

Target Audience

This activity is intended for Community Health Workers, Public Health Professionals and Social Workers

Statement of Need

According to the CDC, older adults (CDC, 2020) are at risk for low health literacy and thus, do not seek
preventive care or follow-up on suggested care. In fact, 71% of adults older than age 60 have difficulty in
using print materials, 80% had difficulty using documents such as forms or charts, and 68% had difficulty
with interpreting numbers and doing calculations as assessed by the National Assessment of Adult
Literacy (NAAL, 2003). This problem is further complicated by growing social isolation among older
adults as well as limited digital literacy, lagging behind the rest of the population in having the means and
ability to access the Internet (CDC, 2020). “The Center for Disease Control describes loneliness and
social isolation as ‘serious public health risks.’ Nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and over are considered
socially isolated, and nearly 1 out of 3 adults over 45 feel lonely. Social isolation increases the chance of
premature death and rivals the risks of smoking, obesity and inactivity” (CDC, 2020).

Age brings a higher risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and cancer,
which are the nation’s leading drivers of illness, disability, deaths, and health care costs. Alzheimer’s
disease and other dementias are most common in adults 60 and older, and the risk increases with age.
This course teaches CHWs clinical preventive services where they can refer people/clients to help
prevent disease or find disease early, when treatment is more effective.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity learners should be able to:

  1. Examine a variety of issues impacting older adult care and providing a bridge to healthcare that
    emphasizes respect and dignity.
  2. Describe a variety of hard and soft interactive education methods for different learning styles and
    ages.
  3. Implement education methods to improve knowledge and/or change behavior.

Accreditation and Designation Statements

Community Health Worker

This activity is State Certified for 1.5 credits for community health workers and community health workers' instructors.

CHW Competencies covered 
  • Knowledge Base - 1.0 hour
  • Communication  - 0.5 hour
Certified Public Health Professional

This activity is approved for .1.5 credit(s) accepted by the National Board of Public Health Examiners' Certified Public Health (CPH) recertification program.

Texas Social Worker

This activity is approved for a maximum of 1.5 Clock Hours for Social Workers.
 

Faculty and Disclosures

In accordance with the appropriate accrediting bodies, all planners, teachers, and authors with control over activity content are required to disclose to the provider any relevant financial relationships (those held by the planner or significant other, currently or within the last 24 months) with commercial interests. Accredited providers are required to provide this information to learners before the start of an activity.

The following is a list of the faculty, along with any information they have disclosed regarding their relevant financial relationships.

The faculty and planning committee have nothing to disclose.

   

Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC
Associate Professor, Health Administration & Policy, School of Public Health
Associate Professor, Personalized Health & Well-Being, School of Health Professions
Interim Director and Clinical Executive for Health Literacy, SaferCare Texas
Director, Texas State Certified CHW/CHWI Training Program
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth




 

David Farmer 2 - Interprofessional Education and Practice   


Bobbi D. Bratton, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CHWI
Clinical Executive, SaferCare Texas
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth







picture of Kate Taylor




Kate Taylor, DNP, FN-C, CPPS, FNAP
Assistant Dean of Clinical and Outreach Affairs, College of Nursing
Adjunct Faculty, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Executive, SaferCare Texas
  


 


Disclaimer

All information contained within this activity is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained in this site. No single reference or service can take the place of medical training, education and experience. This web site does not define a standard of care, nor is it intended to dictate an exclusive course of management. This information should not substitute for a visit or consultation with a health care provider.

Technical Requirements

This activity is best experienced using the most current browser (or one back) of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge. For all activities featuring audio you must have a sound card and speakers. To view graphic images and references that appear in separate "pop-up" windows, you must have JavaScript and session cookies enabled on your computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader may be required for certain activities.

Accessibility Statement

If you require additional accommodation, please call  (817)735-2539 or email: register@unthsc.edu, An Equal Opportunity University.

Select the Continue button below to begin. You may return later if you are unable to complete the activity at this time.