"Softer Side of the MDS"

This project was funded by an implementation grant from Nurse Competence in Aging (NCA). NCA is improving the quality of health care older adults receive by enhancing the geriatric competence-the knowledge, skills and attitudes-of the 400,000 nurses who are professionally identified as members of approximately 57 specialty nursing associations. Culture Change and the Resident Assessment Instrument This workbook was developed to assist long-term care professionals in understanding how the medical and psychosocial models can co-exist and create true resident-directed care. The focus is on the assessment and care-planning processes, which have traditionally stood outside the culture change movement. We believe that with any culture change journey, success begins with committing to and adopting person-directed assessment techniques. Download the PDF - FREE

NCA is committed to:

• Enhancing geriatric activities of national specialty nursing associations. Associations apply for grant funding and receive technical assistance to move forward with geriatric best-practice initiatives. Funded associations are designated ANA-SNAPGs (American Nurses Association-Specialty Nursing Association Partners in Geriatrics).



• Promoting gerontological nursing certification to encourage specialty nurses to obtain dual certification and validate their geriatric competence along with their specialty expertise. Scholarships are available.



• Providing a Web-based, comprehensive geriatric nursing resource center. GeroNurseOnline is a comprehensive Web site providing current best-practice information on care of older adults. Soon, Specialty Nurse Web Fellows will be designated to customize resources addressing geriatrics and specialty nursing practices such as oncology, critical care, medical, surgical, and many other specialties.
  
  Nurse Competence in Aging is a five-year initiative funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies (USA), Inc., awarded to the American Nurses Association (ANA) through the American Nurses Foundation. It represents a strategic alliance between ANA, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University, The Steinhardt School of Education, Division of Nursing.