The core of the geriatrics program is in an active day care center for the frail elderly. Residents evaluate acute and chronic problems under the supervision of a staff geriatrician. They also make nursing home visits with the geriatrician during the block, and spend time with members of the multidisciplinary team (physical therapist, occupational therapist and visiting nurse) to understand their skills. Each resident on this rotation participates in home visits with a Providence Portland hospice nurse and with the Risk Intervention Team of Multnomah County Aging Services. Each resident works with the Palliative Care Team mastering pain management and gaining comfort in leading family conferences. To gain exposure to care of healthy elderly living in the community, the residents spend one-half day with Dr. Marian Hodges, director of geriatric education, seeing patients in her practice.
In the PGY-3 year, residents may choose a geriatric elective that provides new experiences. The elective includes:
Geropsychiatry one-half day each week in a geropsychiatric clinic, and rounds one-half day per week on an inpatient 11-bed geropsych unit
Responsibility, with a staff geriatrician, for a 40-bed nursing home
Having a required rotation in Geriatrics gives all of our residents important experiences in working with multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing function and quality of life, and working with families and caregivers.
