Statement of Need / Purpose and Objective
The 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America is organized to foster interdisciplinary interactions among clinical, administrative, and research professionals in the field of gerontological health care.  In addition to the core scientific sessions, pre-conference workshops and poster sessions will be presented which will encourage and stimulate diverse viewpoints in geriatric health, research, and economics.  There is a recognized need to disseminate this educational information to geriatric health care professionals in order that the care of the elderly patient be optimized.

Upon completion of sessions, participants will be able to apply new knowledge and skills in the areas of clinical physiology, organ-specific systemic disorders, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, geriatric syndromes, community services, acute and long-term care issues, health care professional education and research, as well as ethics and economics.

Target Audience
Professionals attending the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America include gerontological researchers and practitioners from the biological, clinical (including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and dentists), behavioral and social sciences (including anthropologists, psychologists, social workers and sociologists), as well as applied researchers, policy professionals, health care administrators, and economists.  Others working in the area of geriatrics will also find the sessions of value and are encouraged to attend.

Accreditation

PHYSICIANS/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS:  The Minneapolis Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education  for physicians.  The Minneapolis GRECC designates this educational activity for approximately 29.75 category #1 credits towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits he/she actually spent in the activity.

NURSES:  Wild Iris Medical Education, WSNA CEARP Provider Number PA-5/Feb/05, is an approved provider of continuing education in nursing by the Washington State Nurses Association, which is an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.  Wild Iris Medical Education is also approved to offer nursing education contact hours for the states of California and Florida.  Wild Iris Medical Education has approved this activity for approximately 29.75 nursing contact hours. 

PSYCHOLOGISTS:  The Minneapolis Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists.  GRECC maintains responsibility for the program and its contents. There are approximately 29.75 psychologist continuing education credit hours available. Psychologists should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

SOCIAL WORKERS: Application has been made to the Minnesota Board of Social Workers for approval of approximately 32 continuing education credit hours for social workers. Please refer to the final registrant education packet for information on program certification for social workers.

OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS:  This educational activity has been planned and implemented following the administrative and educational design criteria required for certification of health care professions continuing education credits.  Registrants attending this activity may submit this certificate along with a copy of the course content to their professional organizations or state licensing agencies for recognition for 29.75 hours.

PLEASE REFER TO THE FINAL PROGRAM FOR ACCREDITED SESSIONS BY PROFESSION.

Participants must attend the entire session and complete an application form and an evaluation form in order to receive continuing education hours.  Certificates of attendance will be provided on-site at the Information Desk located near registration. Continuing Education materials will be accepted up to 60 days after the program takes place. A record of attendance will be kept on file at the Minneapolis GRECC (612-725-2051).

Policy on Faculty Disclosure
It is the policy of The Gerontological Society of America and the Minneapolis Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) that the faculty disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, and also disclose discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation(s).  Detailed disclosure will be made in the course handout materials.