UNM School of Medicine Senior Mentor Program January

UNM School of Medicine Senior Mentor Program January 14 th, 2005

Goals for Meeting Today • Understand why the emphasis on caring for older adults • Review the Senior Mentor Program • Meet each other • And answer any questions you might have

Geriatric Education at UNM • Increased focus on – Older patients – Learning the role of providers other than physicians – Function & maintenance of health • New initiatives supported through funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation

Why Geriatrics? • Fastest growing cohort - over 65 • By 2020, 20% total population • Old-old growing fastest • By 2000, 5 million over 85 years old

Growth in Population Age 65 and Over

Data Gathering for Program Planning • Focus groups with MDs in Roswell, Santa Fe and Las Cruses • Needs assessment from field faculty who work with students from UNM

Medical Students Months of Formal Geriatrics Training

Number of Practices Geriatric Patients in Medical Practices Percent of Patients who are Geriatric Patients

Geriatrics: A primary care specialty Geriatrics is not a subspecialty. Geriatric care needs to be delivered by primary care physicians. William Hazzard

University of South Carolina • Senior Mentor Program CBS News Clip

Goals of Senior Mentor Program • Longitudinal experience • Older adults as “professors” • Relationship building • Education & training for both

What Exactly Will We be Doing? • Students completed 4 group sessions • Individual student/mentor meetings – Every 1 -2 months – 2 -3 hours each meeting – Covering specific topics • Feedback on how it went

Planned Activities & Topics • Meeting of mentors and students today • Introduction of each other • Scheduling follow-up time before you leave today • Topics: Life History, How Stay Active, Perceptions of Healthcare System

Student Assignments • • • Prepare for meetings Attend all sessions Submit assignments on-line Serve as an advocate (if appropriate) Enjoy

Mentor Assignments • Attend orientation • Meet at agreed times with your student • Provide feedback to your student partner and us • Allow student to follow you if your care needs change • To want to learn more about healthy aging • Desire to impact education of medical students

Program Commitment • Confidentiality • Respect for you, your home and your needs • To listen to your feedback • To tailor the program to assist you • Provide you with outline and reading materials you may need

Benefits to UNM • Help change “the system” • Have an advocate • Learn more about the latest in geriatrics at UNM • Enjoy

Compassionate Physicians Providing Better Care for Patients Thanks for participating !