Understanding the Geriatric Career Development Program
The Geriatric Career Development (GCD) Program is a comprehensive initiative focused on cultivating the next generation of geriatric healthcare professionals. It addresses two critical societal challenges simultaneously: supporting at-risk students and alleviating the long-term care workforce crisis.
Reaching At-Risk Students
“At-risk students” are defined as those facing barriers to high school graduation, including potential dropouts, students with skill or credit deficiencies, truancy issues, or involvement in delinquency. These students often come from minority ethnic backgrounds, have disabilities, or experience low socioeconomic status. Failing to graduate high school significantly diminishes future opportunities, leading to higher rates of unemployment, lower income, and increased reliance on social assistance.
Investing in the education of young people is paramount. Education empowers individuals and strengthens the economic and social fabric of communities. The GCD program envisions a future where all young individuals are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to become responsible, contributing members of society.
Confronting the Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis
Wisconsin, like many other regions, is grappling with a severe workforce shortage in long-term and residential care. Caregiver vacancy rates have reached critical levels, jeopardizing the quality and accessibility of care for the elderly population.
Long-term care providers are struggling to maintain operations amidst this crisis, often resorting to:
- Limiting Admissions: Restricting the number of individuals they can serve due to insufficient staffing.
- Overburdening Existing Staff: Relying heavily on current caregivers to cover open shifts through overtime and double shifts. This unsustainable practice leads to caregiver burnout and increased operational costs. Data indicates that providers utilize such measures nearly 84% of the time, highlighting the severity of the staffing challenge.
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Students and Long-Term Care
The R&E Foundation’s GCD program acts as a vital bridge connecting at-risk students with opportunities in the long-term care sector. It aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in geriatric healthcare and address the educational disparities faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The GCD program partners with local high schools to select students for a three-year commitment, starting in 10th grade and continuing through 12th grade. Participating students dedicate eight to ten hours per week, year-round, to engage in enriching experiences within member long-term care communities. The program offers a multifaceted approach to student development, including:
- Elder Mentors: Building meaningful intergenerational relationships and providing guidance.
- Intergenerational Programming: Facilitating interactions and activities between students and residents.
- Targeted Tutoring: Providing academic support to enhance educational outcomes.
- Literacy Development: Strengthening reading and writing skills crucial for academic and professional success.
- Life Skills Counseling: Equipping students with essential skills for navigating life’s challenges.
- Individual Coaching Sessions: Offering personalized support and guidance for personal and career growth.
- Elder Care Fundamentals: Introducing basic principles of geriatric care.
- Health Career Explorations: Exposing students to various career paths within the healthcare field.
- Bereavement Training: Providing sensitive training on grief and loss, relevant in long-term care settings.
- Departmental Internships: Offering hands-on experience in different departments within care facilities.
- Clinical Skills Training: Developing basic clinical skills relevant to healthcare roles.
Broad Impact and Community Benefits
The GCD program’s impact extends far beyond the participating students. By nurturing at-risk youth, GCD creates pathways to successful futures while simultaneously enhancing the lives of residents in long-term care communities. Students provide compassionate care and engage in intergenerational activities, enriching the residents’ experiences. Furthermore, selected residents serve as mentors, fostering mutually beneficial relationships. The positive effects ripple outwards, benefiting students’ families, residents’ families, schools, and the wider community. As the GCD program expands across Wisconsin, its impact will grow exponentially, creating a sustainable model for workforce development and community enrichment.
The Transformative Potential of the GCD Program
Through the Geriatric Career Development Program, tangible and lasting change is achievable:
- Creating Sustainable Career Paths: Providing at-risk students with promising career opportunities, leading to improved family stability, regional economic growth, and long-term economic mobility.
- Enhancing Healthcare Workforce Skills: Equipping new healthcare professionals with specialized skills and up-to-date knowledge on aging-related issues.
- Addressing Critical Workforce Gaps: Strengthening the healthcare workforce and enhancing the quality of care provided to older adults throughout Wisconsin.
Partner with Us to Expand the GCD Program
The continued success and expansion of the GCD program depend on strong community support. As we look towards the future, we aim to bring this vital program to even more communities. You can contribute to this mission by helping build a robust network of community support. Spread awareness about the GCD program, its objectives, and the collective effort needed to serve both youth and seniors.
Invest in the Future: Grants & Donations
The Geriatric Career Development Program is fully funded through grants and donations to the LeadingAge Wisconsin Research & Education Foundation. The program’s initial launch was made possible by a generous grant from a philanthropic foundation. Your financial contributions are crucial for the continued expansion of GCD across Wisconsin. Donations are tax-deductible and offer various levels of recognition:
- Major Donor (More than $5,000)
- Platinum Sponsor: $5000
- Gold Sponsor: $2500
- Silver Sponsor: $1000
- Bronze Sponsor: $500
- Contributor: Any amount less than $500
We extend our sincere gratitude to our major funders and sponsors for their generous commitment.
GCD Major Funders
GCD Gold Sponsors
For inquiries or further information about the Geriatric Career Development Program, please contact LeadingAge Wisconsin at 608-255-7060 or [email protected].
