GWEP Training Initiative: Bridging Gaps between Professional & In-Home Geriatric Care

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The Adult Services Division, Public Authority, and UCLA GWEP (Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program) joined forces via a 3-year grant to improve workforce capacity for the most rapidly growing and vulnerable population, the elderly. The GWEP is an evidence-based, multi-agency, training program designed to simultaneously improve the skills, knowledge and communication of professionals and in-home caregivers, while maintaining elderly and persons with disabilities safely in their homes. Through a multimodal training approach, collaborative care, dementia-related challenges, home safety/fall prevention, and caregiver stress are targeted. GWEP offers community-based trainings for caregivers, and seminars and case presentations for multi-disciplinary professional staff. The trainings bridge gaps between the elderly and in-home caregivers, social workers, and health care professionals by increasing communication and alignment of best practice approaches to care and intervention. To ensure accessibility for in-home caregivers unable to attend in-person, innovative web-based learning curriculums were also developed in English and Spanish. This three-pronged approach enhances skill and care coordination when caring for elderly clients. Through better trained and prepared caregivers and professionals, GWEP is meeting its goal by improving outcomes for clients at risk of falling or suffering from dementia, fostering healthier caregiving relationships, and developing a more collaborative and competent workforce.