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Area Agency on Aging Practicum

Overview

One effective way to strengthen connections between clinical care and community-based resources is by training the future primary care workforce—those who will be on the front lines of caring for our nation’s growing older adult population.

In partnership with three Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Washington state, we offer a unique, AAA-based practicum that provides health professions trainees with direct, hands-on experience in the Aging Network. This practicum helps bridge the gap between healthcare and community services by fostering awareness, collaboration, and real-world understanding.

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Our Reach

WWAMI (pr: WHAM-ee with a silent ‘h’) is an acronym for the states served by the UW School of Medicine’s programs: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.

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Our Trainees

  • Family Medicine Residents who are part of the UW Family Medicine Resident Network.
  • UW Geriatric Fellows
  • UW Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner Students
5 Core Services

Five Core Services

of the Aging Network

Trainees learn about essential services, such as supports for family caregivers or home delivered meals, that can help older adults remain in the setting of their choice.

Our Partners

Core Practicum Components

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Online self-paced modules
90 minutes
Trainees have access to online learning modules that offer foundational information about the Aging network, Area Agencies on Aging, and evidence-based programs and services.
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in-person Experiential visits
1 hour each
Hands-on experience with Aging Network case managers on home visits, shadowing family caregiver specialists, working alongside care coordinators, or observing our Information and Assistance advocates.
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virtual Debriefs
1 hour
The practicum concludes with trainees meeting one-on-one or in interprofessional groups facilitated by AAA leaders.

3 Learning Opportunities:

1 – Complete Practicum

Our complete practicum (all 3 core components) is currently being offered to Family Medicine Residents in Eastern Washington in partnership with Aging and Long Term Care and UW’s Family Medicine Residency Network as well as UW Geriatric Fellows in partnership with Aging and Disability Services of Seattle-King County.

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2 – Abbreviated Practicum

A shorter version of our practicum covering essential content (2 core components:  Modules + Virtual Debrief) is being offered to UW Advance Practice Nurse Practitioner students who are part of our Geriatrics Traineeship with longitudinal clinical rotations in tribal, underserved, and rural settings.

 

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3 – Modules Only

This stand-alone version (1 core component: Modules) is available to anyone. This is the fastest way to build your knowledge and awareness of the Aging Network. Work through seven brief, self-paced videos—each under 12 minutes—for a total of just 90 minutes of asynchronous learning.

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3 Key Aging Network Resources

Eldercare Locator
A free, public service search tool to find Aging Network services offered nearby.
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SElf-Management Plans
Useful patient education tools to help older adults manage common chronic health conditions.
Evidence-Based Programs
A search tool to find health and wellness programs for older adults offered nearby.