Connecticut Older Adult Collaboration for Health (COACH)
The Connecticut Older Adult Collaboration for Health (COACH) is a partnership between Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Nursing, Yale New Haven Health System, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, Fair Haven Community Health Center, Gateway Community College, and the VA Connecticut. COACH is funded by an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of its Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program.
Our objective is to improve the health of the older adult population in Connecticut by:
- Providing geriatric education to increase the knowledge and skills of primary care providers, other healthcare professionals, healthcare professional trainees, patients and family caregiver
- Increasing the number of primary care practitioners and health professional trainees who are proficient in delivering care aligned with geriatric principles
- Retaining the current geriatrics workforce through support of junior faculty members
- Empowering patients, their families, and lay care workers to take an active role in partnering with healthcare professionals
Our objective will be achieved by addressing and incorporating the following topics central to excellent geriatric care in all training and outreach activities:
- Mobility
- Cognitive assessment and management of patients with cognitive impairment
- Appropriate medication management
- Goals of Care/ Assessment of patients’ care preferences
- Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)
Our purpose is to build and retain a diverse multidisciplinary geriatric workforce that is knowledgeable about the unique needs of older adults and equipped to address those needs in their health professional career.
In addition COACH will support public and population health by building upon existing partnerships between public health agencies, primary care providers, geriatricians, and community based organizations in the Greater New Haven and Bridgeport area through an active Advisory Council.
For more information on COACH or how you can partner with us, please contact:
Project Coordinator
Andrea Rink
E-mail: andrea.rink@yale.edu
Office: (203) 464-6123