Workforce Training and Education Gaps in Gerontology and Geriatrics: What We Found in New York State

Abstract

This article summarizes data from the 2008 Symposium Charting the Future for New York State Workforce Training and Education in Aging: The Stakeholder Perspective and the 2009 report Workforce Training and Education: The Challenge for Academic Institutions. This research is the outcome of a collaborative State Society on Aging of New York and New York State Office for the Aging study on New York State's workforce training and education needs. Eight Listening Sessions were held across New York State to obtain input on topics including training, gerontology education, and credentialing and certification. Individual sessions highlighted the needs of urban, rural, and suburban communities. Key themes identified through content analysis included the need for education about aging in agencies serving older adults, education on human development, positive aspects of aging, disabilities, developmental disabilities, and greater opportunities for training and education for service providers. Lack of incentives was identified as a barrier to credentialing or certification. Education about growing older beginning in grade school was recommended. Lack of funding was identified as a barrier that limited support for employee education/training. Disconnects were identified between employers and academic institutions and state government and providers regarding gerontology/geriatric training and education. Consideration to how these themes may be addressed by the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education is offered.

Occupational Therapy Education, Attitudes on Aging, and Occupational Therapy Students and Therapists Interest in Gerontology Practice

“…Population aging is anticipated to increase demand for OTs and health care services across the care continuum from acute care hospitals to home health and community practice (AOTA, n.d.; Maiden et al, 2010;McGuire et al, 2010;Powell et al, 2008). The Affordable Care Act is anticipated to add to increased demand for health care services.…”

“…Shortages of OTs in parts of the United States, coupled with anticipated increased demand for therapists, challenge the profession to address workforce needs including growing demand for gerontology practitioners, particularly given robust career options for therapists and new graduates (AOTA, n.d., Maiden et al, 2010;Powell et al, 2008). In 2010, 35.9% of the OT workforce worked with older adults, compared with 29.6% in 2006 (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2010).…”

“…Aging is not synonymous with illness or disability, however, advanced age increases risk for frailty, chronic illness, disability, and increases demand for health care services, including management of chronic disease, rehabilitation, home health, community social services, and long-term care (Administration on Aging, 2003Aging, , 2008; NYS Office of the Aging, 2011). Demographic change is expected to increase demand for health care providers, including occupational therapists (OTs; AOTA, n.d.; Institute of Medicine, 2008;LaMascus et al, 2005;Maiden et al, 2010). Data already find strong demand for OTs, including shortages in parts of the United States, with implications for OT practice and services for aging "Boomers" (AOTA, n.d.; Powell et al, 2008).…”

Paradigms in the Gerontology Classroom: Connections and Challenges to Learning

“…Clearly the field has been engaged in development of scientific knowledge about aging. However, others primarily recognize in gerontology an emerging professional field, training practitioners who work with the growing population of older adults (Applebaum & Leek, 2008;Maiden, Horowitz, & Howe, 2010).…”

New Workforce Development in Dementia Care: Screening for “Caring”: Preliminary Data

“…The United States has a severe shortage of geriatricians and of nurses, social workers, and paraprofessionals trained to care for older adults. As the aging population grows, providing high‐quality care will require new models of care that effectively address the many needs of aging individuals and their caregivers, using cost‐effective strategies.…”