Learning Center

Contemporary Matters in Gerontology

Brain Health, Cognitive Impairment, ADRD

GSA’s KAER Toolkit for Brain Health and other resources addressing Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and a variety of symptoms associated with neurological conditions are available to support improved care for older adults.

View

Obesity and Overweight

GSA’s KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity and numerous other resources address obesity and support care teams to help older adults address this chronic and often untreated disease. 

View

Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses

The National Adult Vaccination Program supports teams to increase reverence for vaccines among older adults. Resources address specific vaccine-preventable illnesses as well as focus on increasing vaccine acceptance overall.

View

Oral Health

Oral health is an essential element of healthy aging. These resources support an increased focus on the importance of oral health and highlight the vital connection between oral health and overall health and wellbeing.

View

Longevity Economics: Social Factors, Health, and Wealth

Older adults’ impact on the economy as consumers and their contributions to our society cannot be overstated. These resources examine how issues such as social factors, policies, and wealth impact our longevity economy.

View

Cellular Nutrition

Biological aging refers to the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage or age-associated cellular decline (AACD). These resources examine AACD and how behavioral factors and lifestyle interventions may impact longevity.

View

Sleep Health

These resources address sleep health for older adults and how care providers can work with older adults to best address insomnia and other sleep disturbances.

View

Communicating with Older Adults

These resources support those seeking to have positive interactions with older adults. They cover the broad range of communication issues experienced by older adults and give concrete suggestions to improve communication.

View

Family Caregiving

Across all demographic groups, family caregiving is increasingly common. These resources examine sweeping changes that are needed to promote the health and well-being of care recipients and their family caregivers. 

View

Clinical Trials and Older Adults 

Older adults, especially those with multimorbidity or frailty, are under-represented in most trials. Clinical investigators and care providers can use these resources to promote clinical trial enrollment among older adults.

View

Malnutrition

An underdiagnosed condition, malnutrition is a growing concern for many older adults. These resources aim to increase awareness of malnutrition, its causes, and how to prevent or address it among older adults. 

View

Human-Animal Interaction 

Human-animal interaction (HAI) has positive benefits to older adults’ health and quality of life. These resources promote increased awareness of the benefits of HAI and aim to advance scientific research regarding it.

View

Pain Management

Pain is not an inevitable part of aging, and its impact on older adults’ function and quality of life can be significant. These resources provide strategies to manage pain in older adults.

View

Cancer

Older adults with cancer require a well-coordinated, person-centered healthcare team. Available resources support the transformation of cancer care to meet the unique needs of older adults with cancer.

View

HIV/AIDS

Medical advances have led to an increasing number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS presenting new challenges for aging and HIV/AIDS service providers. In this series, experts address solutions to these challenges.

View

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) products are widely recommended by medical providers and often considered as “first-line” therapy. These resources address safe and effective use of OTC products in older adults.

View

C. difficile

C. difficile is a public health threat that is often underrecognized and underdiagnosed, and it can be deadly for older adults. These resources address the risks of C. difficile and clinical considerations regarding its management.

View

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes joint pain and stiffness often resulting in functional and mobility limitations. This publication examines these limitations and how care teams can provide person-centered care for older adults with OA. 

View

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an often overlooked or misdiagnosed complex, multifactorial condition. These resources address the latest ideas about COPD and the best ways to care for older adults with COPD.

View

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease, and it affects many older adults. GSA resources focus on how management can be tailored to the person’s requirements and can involve comprehensive interdisciplinary input.

View

Medical Use of Cannabidiol  

Older adults are exploring cannabidiol (CBD) products to address a variety of symptoms and conditions. Despite the perception that CBD products are low risk, there are evidentiary gaps in research and questions about their safety.

View