Welcome

The SC-GEC's aim is to develop and deliver training and education to the range of professionals, faculty, and students who are active, or seeking to become active, in the fields of geriatric care and gerontology. By offering training opportunities and resources through statewide collaborations, we aim to enhance the quality of life of older South Carolinians.

View full calendar of events and training opportunities

Interdisciplinary Geriatric Training Modules

Fifty-two peer-reviewed training modules are available.
Learn more...

News and Views

NAGEC Legislative Priorities

The National Association of Geriatric Education Centers (NAGEC) plays a vital role in addressing the profound shortage of competently trained health professionals in all disciplines to care for the daunting needs of today's older adults. Click here to access this document.

NAGE Legislative Update

Action Alerts

Medicaid 101 Tutorial

In this narrated slide tutorial, Diane Rowland, Sc.D., Executive Director of the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) and Kaiser Family Foundation Executive Vice President, presents information on the fundamentals of Medicaid, including eligibility, benefits, financing, and program accomplishments. Current policy challenges, such as the Medicaid – Medicare connection and implications for restructuring are also discussed.
KaiserEDU'stutorials are multimedia presentations on health policy issues,
research methodology or the workings of government, more tutorials are available on the webpage.
Click to retrieve the Medicaid 101 tutorial

Center for the Study of Aging & Active Retirement Online Directory

The new online GRAND STRAND SENIOR SERVICES DIRECTORY, developed jointly by Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and designed and hosted by CCU's Center for the Study of Aging and Active Retirement (CSAAR). The website is helpful to the region's older adults and retirees, their caregivers, and the many local agencies, businesses, and organizations that serve in the Horry and Georgetown areas. To access the directory visit the website at http://www.coastal.edu/csaar/srservices/

Coastal Carolina invites applications for Gerontology Certificate Program

Designed to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and skills in the study of aging. The 21 credit hour (7 course) undergraduate certificate program is open to any degree-seeking student currently enrolled in a degree-program at the University and individuals holding a Baccalaureate degree who desire specialized studies. Courses are:
PSY 423- Psychology of Aging
PSY 425- Gerontology
SOC455- Sociology of Aging
SOC457- Aging and Social Policy
BIO 470- Biology of Aging
ECO472- Economics of Aging
PSY 495- Gerontology Internship
Download CCU Catalog for Program Information

The University of South Carolina Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology Program provides master’s and doctoral level students with rich opportunities to learn from gerontology and geriatric educators within several academic units of the university. The Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificate is awarded upon completion of a structured program of 21 credit hours of graduate level courses. The core curriculum consists of courses offered by the College of Social Work, Department of Psychology, Department of Sociology, and School of Medicine. Elective courses are offered by the following academic units: Health Administration; Exercise Science; Health Promotion and Education; education; sociology; nursing; and medicine. The Gerontology Certificate may be combined with master’s and doctoral degree programs in social work, public health, sociology, psychology, education, nursing, and communication sciences and disorders.
Click to download the brochure

The OVAR-GEC Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness Resource List

Now available online at www.rgs.uky.edu/aging/btepa/index.html This online resource has a special focus on aging. It is searchable under seven different topic areas. New resources will continue to be added.

View SC Dental Shortage Area Map (PDF)
 

South Carolina Oral Health Coalition

The Oral Health Division within the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will provide ongoing administrative support to the SC Oral Health Coalition. The SC Oral Health Coalition will assist in the development of oral health promotion and disease prevention activities at the state and community levels. These activities will address lifespan oral health problems and issues and must be consistent with the State Oral Health Plan. The SC Geriatric Education Center will assist in the promotion of oral health problems and issues for older adults.
Click to download and review the Action Plan for Older Adults

Assessment of Parkinson's Disease Educational and Support Services in SC

An assessment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) was conducted to indentify the prevalence and distribution of PD in South Carolina, to identify healthcare professionals and caregivers in SC who provide care for patients with PD and assess their educational and support needs. Click to Download the full Parkinson's Assessment

2004 Summit on Aging White Paper

The first South Carolina Summit on Aging was held last November 2004. This event
brought together participants from the many organizations in our state committed
to gerontology, and did so in a way that embraced the many facets that make up this
complex topic.

The Summit provided participants from various agencies and organizations an opportunity to identify issues, form collaborations, and to make policy recommendations addressing the growing numbers and needs of older South
Carolinians.

Many policy recommendations surfaced from these proceedings. To document the
results of the first Summit, a White Paper has been completed which details the day.
Click to download a copy of the Summit on Aging White Paper

First Step to Active Aging Toolkit

The First Step to Active Health® provides an evidence-based, progressive activity program. The goal of the program is to improve health and functional ability, to promote independence, and to help prevent chronic disease and disability in adults over age 50. The program includes a step-by-step approach to improve your physical abilities with a variety of simple activities, including cardio/aerobic, flexibility, strength, and balance activities. The First Step program is an example of a "Best Practice" for older adult physical activity programs as described by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Click to retrieve the Active Aging Toolkit White Paper and Manual

SC Geriatric Education Center Caregiver Resource Guide

This mini resource guide was developed to assist caregivers and professionals with locating useful South Carolina aging resources. The mini guide contains internet resources, caregiver support programs, advocates, and available respite programs.
Click to retrieve the GEC Caregiver Resource Guide

SC Geriatric Education Center Geriatric Best Practices Compendium

The Geriatric Best Practices Initiative, funded by The Duke Endowment in collaboration with the South Carolina Hospital Association, The SAGE Institute has explored, evaluated and cataloged senior healthcare and non-healthcare practices across South Carolina and its bordering regions.  The Initiative researchers have visited more than 200 sites and explored more than 100 senior services.
Click to retrieve the GEC Best Practices Compendium (PDF)

What You Need to Know about Me: A Notebook for Families and Caregivers

"The Notebook" provides a means for family members and other caregivers to communicate with persons who provide respite care for the person receiving care so he/she can receive individualized care.
What You Need to Know about Me: A Notebook for Families and Caregivers (PDF)