Geriatric Education for EMS - GEMS

GEMS Certification Classes at

First In Last Out Medical Response 3322 Coors Blvd NW Suite 4 Albuquerque, NM 87120

GEMS stands for Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical Services, a specialized course created by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in partnership with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS).

It is the national standard program for prehospital providers (EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and other healthcare professionals) to better assess, manage, and care for older adult patients.

Purpose

• To improve emergency care for the rapidly growing geriatric population.

• To help providers recognize that older adults often present with atypical signs and symptoms of illness or injury.

• To reduce morbidity and mortality by teaching tailored assessment and intervention strategies.

Course Content

The GEMS curriculum is highly interactive and case-based. Major areas include:

• Physiological Changes of Aging: Normal vs. abnormal, and how these changes impact assessment and treatment.

• Assessment Challenges: Communication barriers, sensory impairments, dementia, delirium, and depression.

• Medical Emergencies in Geriatrics: Cardiac, respiratory, neurological, endocrine, infectious, and other acute illnesses.

• Trauma in the Elderly: Falls, fractures, head injuries, and the impact of fragile bones and anticoagulants.

• Polypharmacy and Medication Issues: Interactions, overdoses, and adherence problems.

• Psychosocial Issues: Elder abuse/neglect, end-of-life care, advanced directives, and cultural considerations.

• Special Considerations: Environmental exposures (heat/cold), functional decline, and mobility problems.

Format

• Length: Typically an 8-hour (one-day) provider course.

• Available in both in-person and hybrid/online learning with hands-on skills sessions.

• Uses scenarios, simulations, and discussions to reinforce learning.

• Certification is valid for 4 years.

Key Features

• Focus on compassionate, patient-centered care for seniors.

• Emphasis on differentiating normal aging from pathology.

• Provides tools for identifying elder abuse and neglect.

• Teaches EMS providers how to be advocates for geriatric patients.

In short: NAEMT’s GEMS course is the gold standard for EMS education in geriatric emergency care, giving providers the knowledge and skills to improve outcomes for older adults in both medical and trauma emergencies.