DAVENPORT, Iowa, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies has introduced a new online program that provides comprehensive geriatric care management training for health care professionals. The Geriatric Care Management Certificate will be offered online as a 12-month, non-credit program beginning in December 2004. For more information on this program or to enroll, log onto http://www.kaplan.edu/hcp.
Kaplan University’s Geriatric Care Management Certificate is the most recent addition to a series of certificate programs called Health Care Pathways. Offerings include certificates in Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Life Care Planning and Case Management. Offered online through Kaplan University, these 12-month programs are designed to provide health and human services professionals with a competitive advantage in their field.
“Geriatric care managers (GCMs) are increasingly in demand as the baby-boomer generation ages and health care costs continue to rise in a complex health care delivery system,” said Barbara Sonderling, Executive Director, Kaplan University’s Health Care Pathways programs. “Our online, self-paced program delivery affords busy health and human services professionals the opportunity to break into this dynamic field.”
Kaplan University worked with experts at the top of their fields, including Peter Belson, M.S.W., to develop the curriculum for the program. Belson will serve as the lead instructor for the Geriatric Care Management Certificate program.
The program is open to a select group of health and human services professionals, including, registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation counselors, case managers, psychologists and medical doctors.
“GCMs assure the delivery of optimal quality of life and care for their elderly clients,” stated Belson. “Graduates of Kaplan University’s program will work with clients and their families. They may also work with insurers, financial entities, government agencies, attorneys, health and human services providers, and public and private health care organizations.
“Geriatric care management is increasingly important as families don’t always live in the same place as their parents, continued Belson. “GCMs fill a need for these long distance caregivers. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article*, an estimated seven million Americans are long-distance caregivers. The demand for GCMs will continue to rise as America continues to age.”
Courses comprising the program include: Introduction to Geriatric Care Management; Aging as Reality; Psychosocial Issues in Aging; Balancing Aging and Independence; Financial Considerations of the Elderly; Legal and Ethical Issues in Geriatric Care Management; and Successful Aging.
Kaplan University, based in Davenport, Iowa, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University has enrolled over 18,000 online students.
About Kaplan Higher Education and Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan Inc.'s higher education division, including Kaplan University and Concord Law School, is comprised of 69 campus-based locations in 16 states. Kaplan Higher Education offers master, bachelor and associate degrees, as well as certificates designed to provide students with the skills necessary to qualify them for employment in the fields of business, criminal justice, education, fashion and design, healthcare, information technology, legal and paralegal studies. Kaplan, Inc. is a leading provider of educational and career services to students, schools, professionals and businesses worldwide. For more than 66 years, Kaplan has helped millions of individuals achieve their educational and career goals. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company . For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com/.
*The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2004, Work & Family Column: “When Elderly Loved Ones Live Far Away: The Challenge of Long-Distance Care.
Note to editors: Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company
Press contact Charles Lynn tel. (561)-981-7190 clynn@kaplan.edu
Kaplan University
CONTACT: Charles Lynn, Press contact for Kaplan, Inc., +1-561-981-7190,or clynn@kaplan.edu