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• Geriatric Care Assistant Certificate Program

CEDU 300 - Geriatric Care Assistant Certificate          Tuition: $495

Connecticut Eligible Training Programs/Providers List
Training approved by the Workforce Investment Board

For those who are already Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), the Geriatric Care Assistant (GCA) Certificate Program provides students with course work specifically designed to meet the unique needs of our aging population. The GCA program presents a compassionate and sensitive approach to support the developmental, nutritional, and psychological needs of elderly patients. This six-course program will provide CNAs with the knowledge and skills to provide "person-centered" care to residents in assisted living communities, nursing homes, residential care facilities, and older adults being cared for at home.

All classes will be held at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT 

Courses are scheduled for:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Courses:

1. Caring "About" and Not Just Caring "For" Clients
   

   Dates:	Tuesday 9/11 and Thursday 9/13; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
   	Saturday, 9/15; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

   Through experiential learning, students will develop a better understanding of signs and symptoms of change, problems of immobility and how to use adaptive equipment (Hoyer lift, canes, wheel chairs, etc.) with elderly clients. Students will also be introduced to sociological, psychological, and biological needs of aging and how clients are coping with these changes and challenges.

2. The Psychology of Aging: Geriatric Development Theory
   

   Dates:	Tuesday 9/25 and Thursday 9/27; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
   	Saturday, 9/27; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

   The course will introduce students to the environmental stresses that impact behavior in the middle and later years.  It examines normal and pathological adjustments to widowhood, chronic disease, disability, retirement, loss, and other life changing events. 

3. Behavioral and Health Aspects of Aging
   

   Dates:	Tuesday 10/9 and Thursday 10/11; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
   	Saturday, 10/13; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

   The course is a further examination of the psychology of aging and behavioral health issues associated with aging including the psycho-social impact of cultural influences. The importance of empathetic communication and appropriate levels of wellness activities will be covered. Students will learn to recognize signs of health problems associated with aging including depression, stroke, arthritis, infections, and diabetes as well as empathetic communication.

4. Geriatric Nutrition

   Dates:	Tuesday 10/23 and Thursday 10/25; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
   	Saturday, 10/27; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

             This course is a study of the nutritional needs of older adults.  Topics covered will include nutrients,        standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and understanding individuals' dietary preferences as well as how to teach patients to make appropriate menu choices. 

5. Dementia

Through experiential and instructional learning, this course provides the foundation for care giving for patients with dementia. An examination of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are the basis for this course. Students will learn to recognize signs and symptoms of dementia and how to redirect clients. In addition, students will learn how to communicate with people in distress through Memory Boxes, Window Boxes, and Memory Walls.

6. Understanding Diversity and Diverse Populations

This course provides participants with the opportunity to examine both the challenges and opportunities resulting from an increasingly diverse population and examines ways to develop culturally responsive relationships.  A focus of the course is to explore the role that culture plays in our daily interactions with others.  An introduction to Elder Abuse Laws is included in this course.

To register: http://www.omniupdate.com/continuingstudies. A service fee applies to all online payments. The registration deadline is Friday, August 31, 2012. Commuting students need a permit for campus parking. Please bring your car registration to the first night of class. A representative from the college will be there to issue you a parking sticker, which is good through August 2013.