The University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center (UNE-MGEC) for several HRSA funding cycles was one of several Geriatric Education Centers throughout the country with the purpose of providing health professionals, health professions faculty, and students with interprofessional training, curricula, and tools relevant to today's older adult population. We address the healthcare needs of an aging rural state in which primary care providers and other health professionals — particularly those with knowledge of elder health — are in short supply.
We forge partnerships between academic communities and provide faculty development opportunities. We educate the men and women working in the health care fields in best practice geriatrics, and we increase awareness of the resources available to older adults.
The Center is located on UNE's Portland Campus and is part of the UNE Westbrook College of Health Professions.
Learn more about the National Association of Geriatric Education Centers >
UNE-MGEC Activities and Resources
Among the activities of the UNE-MGEC were education programs including health literacy team training, falls and quality of falls care (evidence-based practice) team training, fall prevention education, art in aging "Living Art-Living Well Studio" and emergency preparedness education and training.
Online Courses
Remember to bookmark this page to access all Maine GEC Online Courses any time you want.
- Assessing Elder Abuse in the Clinical Setting: Asking the Difficult Question
- The Asking the Difficult Question series features three critical issues facing health professionals providing guidance and care for older adults: Elder Abuse, Advance Directives, and Driving. DVDs highlighting these topics have been produced which will assist health professionals, health professions faculty, and students to address these critical issues.
- Asking the Difficult Question Advance Directives (PDF)
- Screening and Treatment of Late Life Depression (PDF)
- Evaluation and Management of Stress and Urge Urinary Incontinence in Older Women (UI) (PDF)
- Screening for Dementia (PDF)
- The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: Recommended Screening Tools (PDF)
History and Funding
From July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2015, The UNE-MGEC was one of 45 national Geriatric Education Centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A grant of approximately $1,080 provided a range of health professionals, health professions faculty, and students with training, curricula, and tools to address Maine's growing older adult population healthcare needs.
The center has gone through several funding cycles. Until 2002 the Maine Geriatric/Gerontology Education Center was part of the Harvard Upper New England Geriatric Education Center (HUNEGEC). Objectives of the HUNEGEC were directed at upper New England as a whole, with certain sub-objectives being unique to Maine.
In 2003, the center received its own funding from HRSA to establish the Maine Geriatric Education Center (Maine GEC). The Maine GEC was developed to implement a more extensive set of objectives to focus on the unique needs of Maine's older adults. The Maine GEC operated from July 2003 through December 2006 when all GEC's throughout the country were zero funded by congress prior to the completion of the five-year funding cycle.
In September 2007 the University of New England was awarded a $650,000, three-year grant from HRSA which continued through June 3, 2010.
News
Presentation highlights Maine Geriatric Education Center study with MDI Island Hospital
Judith Metcalf presents at Maine Nursing Summit
Judith Metcalf interviewed in ‘Maine Seniors’ magazine
Disclaimer
The University of New England Maine Geriatric Education Center (UNE MGEC) provides community based information strictly as an informational service. UNE has not approved any of the community listings and makes no warranties or representations concerning these services.
The University of New England operates under the assumption that community organizations and agencies conduct business within the guidelines of the law. The University expects communities and agencies to comply with all non-discriminating laws according to the Maine Human Rights Commission and reserves the right to refuse a listing that is not in compliance.