Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

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Excelling in the Care of the Older Adult: A Course for Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses

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Delivery Format: Online

Course Description
Format and Schedule
What Others Have Said
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  • Course Description

    Expert knowledge and the provision of skillful care for older adults have become essential components of practice in both acute and primary care. Designed by nurse practitioners specialized in the field of geriatric care, this course will increase your confidence and improve the depth and breadth of your knowledge in geriatric care. Each week will address one or more topics including the relevant pathophysiology, assessment, clinical reasoning, and management of multiple geriatric conditions with a focus on mobility, mood & cognition, and common conundrums such as continence and sleep disturbances.  Key topics will include advanced health assessment, capacity assessment, best diagnostic and prescribing practices, and resources for day to day practice.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

    1. Describe the components of a comprehensive health assessment of the older adult.
    2. Identify evidence informed practices in the care of the elderly related to mobility, and mood & cognition, including dementia spectrum’s.
    3. Discuss therapeutic approaches to the management of common conundrums such as sleep disturbance and continence.
    4. Employ best practices in prescribing and diagnostics for the elderly.

    Audience

    • Nurse Practitioners
    • Advanced Practice Nurses
    • Clinical Nurse Specialists
    • Nurse Educators/Faculty
    • Registered Nurses specializing in geriatrics
  • Registration Information

    Fees

    Early Bird price (ends September 11, 2020) $650 + HST
    Regular price  (starting September 12, 2020) $720 + HST
    U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%* $615 + HST
    U of T Nursing Faculty save 15%** $615 + HST
    NPAO Members save 15%*** $615 + HST

    Site Groups

    A group discount rate is available for site groups of three or more people. For details please contact  pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

    Please Note

    • Refund Policy – To withdraw from the course and receive a refund, your written request must be emailed to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by September 11, 2020. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administration fee of $100 + tax. As an alternative, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 7 days before the course.
    • Advanced registration is required.  You must register by October 5, 2020.  No on-site registration at the event.
    • *U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
    • **U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a faculty position, adjunct or status appointment, or are a Clinical Instructor (current academic year only) at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
    • ***NPAO (Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario) members discount eligibility will be confirmed by the NPAO Membership Director.This is a two day course.
    • Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
    • Course Cancellation Policy – The university reserves the right to cancel courses due to unavailability of instructors, facilities or insufficient enrollment. Decisions on course cancellations are made at least 15 calendar days prior to the course starting date, so early registration is recommended. If you enroll in a course that is subsequently cancelled, you may transfer to another section of that course if an alternative is available; or you may receive a full refund of the fee and tax you paid to the University of Toronto. We are not responsible for travel arrangements, travel fees, or any expenses incurred by you.
  • Faculty

    Lead Faculty

    Michelle Acorn DNP, NP-Adult/PHC,  MN/ACNP, GNC(C), CGP
    Adjunct Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

    Course Faculty

    Julie Earle NP-PHC MScN GNC(C)
    Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Dementia Unit, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences Member, Consent and Capacity Board
    Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

    Donna Ruffo RN(EC), MN, NP-Adult, GNC(C)
    Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Medicine – North York General Hospital
    Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

    Katherine Trip NP-Adult, MN
    Nurse Practitioner Consultant, Senior Care
    Assistant Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

  • Format and Schedule

    Format

    This course is offered as an online primarily asynchronous course through the University of Toronto Learning Portal – QUERCUS. Each week, participants will view an e-learning module, review required readings and resources, and actively engage with learning activities such as discussion board or a case study.  Two to three synchronous sessions focused on a case discussion will be scheduled during the course during the evening. All synchronous sessions will be recorded for those who cannot the live session.

    Each week will consist of a recorded lecture by faculty who are expert clinicians in their field. Faculty will be available for questions through discussion board during the scheduled week for the module. Additional clinical resources will be provided such as clinical practice guidelines, references, relevant practice standards, and clinical tools for practice.

    Schedule

    Week Topic Faculty
    1 The Landscape of Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Roles in Gerontology

     

    Comprehensive Assessment of the Older Adult

    • Physical
    • Functional (IADL, ADL)
    • Immunizations
    Michelle Acorn

     

     

     

    Kathy Trip

     

    2 The Geriatric Giants – Focus on Mobility

    • Falls and immobility
    • Dizziness and vertigo
    • Tremor
    • Osteoporosis
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    Michelle Acorn
    3 The Geriatric Giants – Focus on Common Conundrums

    • Continence
    • Urinary tract infection
    • Constipation and diarrhea
    • Sleep disturbance

     

    The Geriatric Giants – Focus on Cognition and Mood

    • Dementia
    • Delirium
    • Depression and Anxiety

     

    Donna Ruffo

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Kathy Trip

    4 Best Practices in Prescribing and Diagnostics

    • Choose Wisely
    • Medication reconciliation
    • Therapeutic prescribing
    • BEERS  Criteria
    • STARTing and STOPPing medications
    • Anticholinergic burden
    • Polypharmacy

     

    Michelle Acorn
    5 Capacity Assessment

     

    The Geriatric Giants – Focus on Dementia

    • Dementia Subtypes and Stages
    • Cognitive Testing & Interpretation
    • Management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
    • Advanced Pharmacology & Management of Dementia
      (ACHEI, NMDA, Antipsychotics, Antidepressants)
    • Fitness to Drive

     

    Julie Earle

     

    Michelle Acorn

     

  • What past participants have said about this course:

    “Very inspiring to continue to immerse yourself in the area of older adult care.”

    “Thoroughly enjoyed this course! It’s taught by experts in the field of geriatric medicine and I feel that I will be able to provide a better and more evidence based case to my patients. I will be back for the second portion of the course!”

    “This was an excellent, informative, well planned/organized course! Thanks for all of this information!”

    “Very practical and informative – I have learned so much, thank you!”

  • Contact Us

    Email: pd.nursing@utoronto.ca
    Website: bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/pd
    Phone: (416) 978-5207
    Address: Centre for Professional Development (PD) Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto 155 College Street, Suite 130 Toronto, ON  Canada M5T 1P8

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