GEMS - Geriatric Emergency Medical Education Course

GEMS provides practitioners at all levels with the skills and knowledge to address the unique medical, social, environmental and communications challenges of older adults

  • October 9, 2024 (registration link coming soon)

Developed by NAEMT (National Association of EMT’s), in partnership with the American Geriatrics Society.

GEMS empowers practitioners to help improve medical outcomes and quality of life for geriatric patients both in and out of the Hospital.  

Originally designed for EMS providers, this course has significate potential and benefit for in-hospital units, clinics, nursing homes, specialty offices, primary care offices, and so on.

GEMS features case-based lectures, live action video, hands-on skill stations, simulation and small group scenarios to fully engage students in the learning experience by incorporating techniques so clinicians can feel and see the difficulties the elderly experience during there medical care.

GEMS covers the following topics:

•Changes that occur with age
•Assessment of older adults
•Pharmacology and medication toxicity
•Psycho-social emergencies
•Elder abuse
•End-of-life care issues
•Cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies
•Trauma
•Neurological emergencies and altered mental status
•Mobile integrated healthcare
•Special considerations for older adults in disaster response
•Skin and wound care

Medical devices frequently used by older adults

UVA Health System employees please note:
Any employee who attends a class within 4 months of their planned departure from the UVA Health System will be required to pay his/her registration fee. 

Note: Registering for a course before the 4 month time frame does not waive the registration fee. 

Cancellation Policy

Students who cancel within ten business days of the date indicated on the registration form will forfeit the course registration fee.  UVA medical center employees cancelling within 10 business days will have their department billed for the course fees.  Substitutions may be permitted up to 5 business days prior to the course with the approval of the course coordinator.  No substitutions will be made after that time

VNA contact hours will be given to Nurses

University of Virginia Health System, Nursing Professional Development Services, is an approved provider of continuing education by the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.  VNA # 16-03-02P