OVAR/GEC Training  Resources Contact Information     658 South Limestone     Lexington, KY 40506-0442     Phone: (859)257-2657     Fax: (859)323-4940    Contact Person: Arleen Johnson Conference Calendar CE/CME/Inservice Training Programs Interdisciplinary Transitions in Responsibility for Aging Care Patient Safety in Long-Term Care Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness Educational Materials Best Care Practices List of Other Geriatric Centers Archived Training Programs Health Literacy and Aging (pdf format) To inform us of additional resources related to GEC, please e-mail Mike Smith

Best Care Practices

A past focus of OVAR/GEC was developing a Best Care Practices interactive web-based continuing education program and a database, which provided a repository for Best Care Practices from across the region. We accepted nominations for Best Care Practices from all agencies, institutions and departments providing care for older persons through community programs, rehabilitation services and long term care programs in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee or South Western Virginia. Four programs were chosen annually to receive the awards. Winners from each of the four award-winning programs in the region will be guests at the The University of Kentucky College of Public Health Council on Aging and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Annual Summer Series on Aging. The conference registration fee, round-trip mileage, meals and three nights lodging will be provided. Award winners were recognized at the Summer Series on Aging and presented their programs during a special workshop on Best Care Practices.

More About Best Practices

Best practices are those good ideas that are based on evidence and have proven to produce successful results to improve the care of older persons.

    Best care practices help providers to:

• Learn more about identifying the critical components of patient care
• Identify and describe patient centered problems
• Enhance the ability to find and assess existing best practices
• Increase awareness of creative solutions to similar problems
• Develop skills in implementing and replicating best practices in health care settings

    Examples of best practices:

• Alternative methods for delivering quality care
• Creative solutions for working with diverse ethno-geriatric populations
• Unique community collaborations between faith communities formal service agencies
• Successful use of critical care paths
• Intergenerational programs for school children and elders in the community
• Programs that improve administrative efficiency and reduce costs
• Creative programs in interdisciplinary home care
• New documentation practices for recruitment and retention of staff in underserved areas
• Programs that improve treatment of HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions
• Total quality improvement practices in long term care
• Programs reduce use of nursing home care
• Patient education programs that decrease emergency room and hospital admissions

As part of OVAR/GEC's mission, we have compiled an assortment of useful links, including a comprehensive conference calendar, and a variety of sites devoted to continuing geriatric research and education.

    Award Nomination Form (pdf format)
    Selection Criteria (pdf format)
    Brochure (pdf format)