By Denise Bodart, Realityworks RealCare Product Manager
As the elderly population increases, demand for nurses and caregivers trained to work with geriatric patients will grow as is the need for tools to engage 21st Century learners. Real-world experiences can aide in helping prepare today’s students for success in careers. One way to provide geriatric sensitivity training to today’s 21st Century students is by enabling them to personally experience age-related physical changes.
Introducing the RealCare Geriatric Simulator
The RealCare™ Geriatric Simulator sensitivity suit is a wearable simulator that enables users to personally experience age-related physical changes, therefore gaining an understanding of the difficulties the aging population experiences. The Geriatric Simulator gives the wearer hands-on experience with the many real-life conditions that geriatric patients deal with on a daily basis. These conditions include:
- Visual impairment
- Restricted range of motion
- Decreased mobility
- Stooped posture
- Loss of sensation in hands
- Joint stiffness
- Loss of strength
- Fatigue
- Change in body image
- Decreased sense of balance
- Confusion
Compassion and understanding are key to providing care for geriatric patients. If you “walk in the shoes” of an older adult, you’re much more likely to provide appropriate care because you understand the challenges that daily tasks can present. By enabling students to personally experience age-related physical changes, students become more sensitive to what their patients are going through – and with increased sensitivity comes improved care.
This Geriatric Simulator and curriculum is designed for a multitude of programs, including Health Occupations pathways, CNA training and Family and Consumer Sciences pathways, including Human Development and Interpersonal Relationships courses. Its comprehensive curriculum includes geriatrics and gerontology career exploration, visual impairment, declining mobility due to aging, the impact of aging on bones and joints, hearing loss and more.
Learn more with a free infographic
It is vital that educators utilize 21st Century technology that truly works for our future workforce. Realityworks’ RealCareer Geriatric Simulator was designed to help CTE professionals teach today’s students the skills they need to succeed in a growing field. Providing aging awareness training for future healthcare workers will ensure a career-ready workforce. Learn more by downloading this free infographic.
Want to learn more? Contact us at information@realityworks.com or call 800.262.3806.
CTE instructor for STNA program would be very interested in finding out more about this program and products thank you
Thank you for your interest! Our Account Services team would be happy to send you some additional information on our geriatric simulator and curriculum! They can be reached at 800-830-1416 or information@realityworks.com. Thank you!
I would like to learn more about this program and how it is done and the cost.
Thank you.
Goli
We’d be happy to send you some additional information and answer any questions you may have, Goli; our Account Services team can be reached at 800-830-1416 or information@realityworks.com. You can also find more information and a special offer here: http://realityworks.com/geriatric. Thank you!
I am both university faculty and a clinician working with the geriatric population and teaching the next generation of clinicians who will be working with this population. very interested in skills and techniques for sensitivity.
Thank you for your comment, Dr. Pointek! We’d be happy to send you some additional information about our geriatric simulator if you’d like; our Account Services team can be reached at 800-830-1416 or information@realityworks.com. You can also find more information and a special offer here: http://realityworks.com/geriatric. Thank you!
What a great idea! I would love to have this for our burgeoning Geriatric Program, CNA, RN, and LVN programs.
Thank you for your interest, Paula! Our Account Services team can send you some additional information about our geriatric simulator; they can be reached at 800-830-1416 or information@realityworks.com. You can also find more information and a special offer here: http://realityworks.com/geriatric. Thank you!
How much would his equipment cost? I am a professor at old dominion university and would be interested in this equipment.
Thank you for your interest, Dr. Hoquee! Our Account Services team can send you product specifics; they can be reached at 800-830-1416 or information@realityworks.com. You can also find more information and a special offer here: http://realityworks.com/geriatric. Thank you!