Assessment Tools of Older Adults: A Multidisciplinary Clinical Skills Workshop

Multidisciplinary students from UMES and SU learn about assessment tools in geriatric populations.

On October 22, 2021, 116 students representing Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) met at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland to attend a clinical skills workshop. The objective of the workshop was to develop and learn new clinical skills for treating older adults, and how to work as an interdisciplinary team to provide patient centered care techniques. The half-day workshop included students studying the disciplines of Nursing, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Dietetics/Nutrition and Pharmacy.

The event featured concurrent workshops led by faculty from a variety of health profession programs at the two universities. Faculty shared their expertise and experiences with the students on a diverse set of topics such as “Assessment of Dementia,” “Death with Dignity: Assessment Instruments for End-of-Life Care,” “Mental Health in Later Life: Validated Tools for Use with Older Adults”, “Older Adults and Medications,” and “Gait and Balance Assessment of Older Adults.” The day consisted of The presenters included: an introduction to a case • Mary DiBartolo PhD, MBA, RN-BC, CNE, FGSA, FAAN, Associate study, various workshops,

Professor of Nursing at Salisbury University and concluded with student • Jennifer Schermerhorn LMSW, Director of Graduate Field Education interdisciplinary team and a Cclinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at discussions of an assigned case

Salisbury University study where they were tasked in • Diane Martin Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Graduate School, developing a patient treatment

University of Maryland, Baltimore plan. • Nancy Rodriguez-Weller RPh., FASCP, Assistant Professor, University The Eastern Shore Area of Maryland Eastern Shore, Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy Health Education Center and Health Profession (ESAHEC), located in Cambridge • Dennis Klima PT, MS, PhD, DPT, GCS, NCS, Associate Professor of Maryland, offered the free

Physical Therapy at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore workshop utilizing funding from the University System of Maryland’s Geriatric and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) program at University of MarylandBaltimore.

Medication adherence tools for older adults