The Ohio State University Sciences Center Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology
Modules
Below is a listing of the Modules offered as part of the Sunset ProgramAdvanced Communication Skills
This module describes Buckman's SPIKES protocol as a means of imparting bad news. Other courageous conversations such as talking about death, code status conversations or talking about curative vs. palliative treatment goals are also discussed.
Advanced Pain Management
This module is intended for nurses only and is a study of the use of pharmacological treatment strategies for residents with pain.
Basic Communication Skills
This module reviews basic active listening skills and assertiveness competencies necessary to establish therapeutic communication.
Basic Pain Management
This module is an overview of the different types of pain residents experience, how to assess them, and how to use nonpharmacological methods to treat them.
Cultural Competence
This module describes the skills necessary to become successful taking care of someone from a different culture than your own.
Decision-Making
This module reviews the issues that affect how decisions are made with regard to advance directives, hospice and other palliative care issues.
Dementia
This module reviews assessment and care of the dementia patient with special emphasis on pain assessment in the nonverbal or cognitively impaired resident.
Ethics & End-Of-Life Care
This module is a review of basic ethical principles, professional codes of conduct and patient bills of rights. A process of working through ethical dilemmas is also offered.
Facing Mortality
This module provides an opportunity for you to explore your own beliefs, values and reactions to death and dying.
Families & End-of-Life Care
In this module you will have an opportunity to reflect upon family dynamics observed in those you care for, while identifying common problems families face and exploring coping strategies to support families during the loss of a loved one.
Grief & Loss
This module is devoted to exploring reactions to loss, our own and those of our residents and their families.
Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies into Endo of Life Care
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has emerged as a legitimate field of inquiry during the last several decades. Years of research are currently yielding information as to its safety, efficacy and applications. End of life care is an ideal arena to integrate these interventions into the resident’s plan of care in that they are holistic and very often directed towards improving quality of life. Using CAM with conventional medical treatments goes a long way toward customizing a plan of care that works specifically for each individual. This module will provide a brief overview of the field and its potential contribution to end of life care.
Normal Aging & Dying
This module provides an overview of normal aging processes as well as the predictable changes that accompany the dying process.
Psychological Considerations
This module addresses the mental health of dying residents and their families by providing assessment and intervention stategies.
Spirituality
This module will describe the spiritual needs of residents as they face the end of life and will provide ways to help you respond to spiritual distress. You will learn how to do a spiritual assessment and have a review of death beliefs and practices
Stress
This module is designed to help you recognize signs and symptoms of the stress caregivers experience when giving care to residents. Ways to prevent caregiver burnout (stress) are offered.
Symptom Management
This module describes why common physical symptoms occur, how to assess them and how to intervene effectively.